Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer User Reviews (Page 2)

• Por...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2023

"Having been using fluorouracil for 9 days between my nose and upper left lip for two precancerous areas. I have been extremely careful to use a Q-tip to apply and not get any on my hands or in my nose or mouth. I have experienced additional redness and tightness in the area and can feel my heartbeat in the affected area as well. I’ve been using a straw to drink fluids for the past 9 days so as not to get any residue in my mouth and only apply after brushing teeth and not eating for several hours or at bedtime. However, upon the beginning of day 10, I experienced extreme pain in my intestines, diarrhea, cold sweat, dizziness, very hard stomach, and fatigue, exactly matched (with the exception of vomiting) toxic poisoning either from ingesting, or touching (which I have never touched the medicine) the fluorouracil. So I have stopped use of this drug as of day 10. I was able to fully recover after a few hours with a lot of fluids and rest. The affected area on my face is red and tight."

• Ben...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2023

Fluorouracil topical "I have lived outdoors most of my life, helping on our farm as a youth and just being exposed to too much sun as an adult. As I reached my 60s, I began to see areas of my face that would become crusty and flake. When skin cancer screening came to my site of work, I was told that there were some areas in which I should get checked out by a dermatologist, and so I did. These areas were immediately recognized (and verified by biopsy) as being basal cell and one squamous cell carcinoma. After going through about five surgeries (over several years), I asked about any other way to catch and destroy this cancer before it came to the surface. That is when my doctor prescribed Efudex 5%. I used Aquaphor one hour after application to help calm the skin. After the 17 days of use, it healed nicely. Now, nearly two years after use, my skin is very soft and never peels or flakes like before. I have no hesitation as I head into round two, nearly two years after first usage."

• Jig...
• January 17, 2017

Fluorouracil topical "10 days into the treatment and my face is borderline unsightly. Had to stop the treatment on my chest because it started scabbing. Just hoping it starts flaking soon as expected! Major pain on my chest when I took it starting around day three. Have not experienced much pain on my face, just a little bit of tightness and itching. Trying to avoid putting moisturizer and makeup on, as my dermatologist says it will slow the healing. That is probably the worst part so far!"

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2020

"This is my second round of skin cancer treatment with Efudex - I did a similar timeline of treatment in 2019. I have a history of BCC and SCC with multiple MOHs procedures and other excisions. I can honestly say this treatment is effective; however, it can be painful at times. All of my treatment areas have been scalp, forehead, and cheeks. The cheeks tend to be worse, especially in weeks 3 & 4. This poses a big issue when it comes to shaving. Other than not shaving for a few weeks, has anyone found a way to avoid basically flaying yourself?"

• Car...
• July 17, 2016

"Tolak 4%. I used it for three weeks every night. Also used hydrocortisone 2.5 every morning. Treating my chest-this had been so, so painful for me. Couldn't wear clothes. The itching and burning at times were so unbearable. I avoid moving, it hurts so bad. Applying Vaseline from the fridge gave me about 2 seconds of relief. I'm in the 4th week, and my chest is still burning and itching so bad. Hard to eat, hard to sleep. I hope this agony was necessary and worth doing."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2018

"I am using fluorouracil for the second time. This time I am not doing my whole face, I am only doing my nose and side of my cheek. The first time I did not realize how many bad cells I would have. My entire face turned black and scabbed off. It was so painful and barely tolerable. I have had so many skin cancers removed, and I would rather endure the cream than have more surgery! I had a squamous cell going in my tear duct, had to remove my upper eyelid and use it for a skin graft. The surgeon was amazing! I am so happy there is this cream, as I am refusing any more surgeries on my face!"

• Tuc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2019

"Just finished two weeks on top of head. Ten days on nose and one cheek. Seems the wider the area I spread, the more pops up. Just started on a 4x4 area on chest to see if anything comes up there. Don't know what the end result will be, but seems to be working good. No pain or suffering so far. Just some red blotches and some sores on the oldest parts. 5% fluorouracil, I'm giving an 8 only because I don't know what the end result will be, but probably good."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2018

"I had significant Mohs surgery about 7 years ago, which left me a bit disfigured. The doc actually wanted to do a flap from my forehead, but I refused. Anyhow, about 1 or 2 years later, I was diagnosed again with basal cell carcinoma (BCC). I went to a different dermatologist who used fluorouracil. I started on my nose and cheek, but spots started showing up all over, especially on the right side of my face, so I used it there. I looked like a monster and it hurt badly. It took a long time to heal, but I looked younger and cleaner. Well, I just got a couple of small spots again, but it has been about 5 years, and I wanted to use the cream again. It is not so bad. I only had a couple of spots and have been using it for four weeks now, and it's bearable. I think the cream is great. My only concern is I just noticed a grayish spot on my nose. It doesn't hurt and looks nothing like the actinic keratosis (AK) or BCC or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) I've had. I'm really scared it might be melanoma, but they are usually dark colors. I'll do some research on Dermnetnz.org. Does anyone have any spots like that and know what it can be? It's not open or raised, and very light. Like I said, it just appeared."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

"I tried fluorouracil 12 years ago with great results and applied it on my face again 5 years later. The first time, my whole face was red with blotchy sores. The second time, the areas were less sore. Yes, I looked hideous and was self-conscious in public. I did this around Halloween to fit in. I am using it again to clean up any new spots. Each time, there are fewer sun-damaged areas. It is a bit painful for the 2-3 weeks I apply it, and I feel like a freak in public, but the results are incredible! No more scaly and dry spots. No more getting zapped with liquid nitrogen. Some of my sores from the cream bled a little and scabbed over. I also treated my arms the first 2 times with great success. It isn’t an enjoyable experience, but the results are well worth it! It rejuvenated my skin with new, softer, and healthier-looking skin. My treated skin truly is soft as a baby’s bottom. Many agree with me. Truly a miracle cream. Do it!"

• NAH...
• February 24, 2014

"Used Efudex 7 years ago. Now using Carac 0.5%. Apparently the same dosage of fluorouracil but in a different cream base. My dermatologist said that the Carac seems to be less aggressive. Only use once a day versus twice with Efudex. From my memory of Efudex, Carac seems much less raw so far. Still have the redness and tenderness but much more tolerable. One more week to go. Not sure on cost. Insurance covered it, luckily. (Using tazarotene with Carac on scalp, which helps absorption - skin is tougher)"

• kh7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2024

Fluorouracil topical "The best thing ever. Minimal to no pain (I didn't even need aspirin). Great reaction. I can't understand why doctors would want to sit and watch things when they have this in their arsenal. It is unsightly, but so is a lesion eating away at your face."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2019

"I have a small place on the bridge of my nose, squamous carcinoma. The doctor’s office called this morning and called in a cream prescription. I am not sure where I am supposed to put it. Anyway, I was so relieved I didn’t have to have surgery. I didn’t ask a lot of questions. Now that I have read about it, I am terrified. My drugstore has to get the cream, so I haven’t started yet."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2022

"I was given fluorouracil after diagnosis of a few solar keratosis on my chest, which for some time I thought was prickly heat. I had to use the cream for a month. I was shocked to see within a week how many angry spots appeared on my chest, far more than when I went to see the consultant. They were so red and very itchy at night, so much so it often kept me awake. However, after 2 to 3 weeks of using the cream, they started to crust and dry up. After I finished the cream, my chest was still red in parts, but now about a month after finishing you can’t see anything - this cream is amazing. Don’t stop the treatment, finish the full course even if it’s painful, it’s so worth it, but you mustn’t stop. I used Vaseline and bio oil after finishing to help redness - amazing cream."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2020

"Week four of six-week treatment on my forehead. Week three I started developing hard lumps under skin where the cream is. This week the lumpy, hard mass has dropped down as far as my cheeks, my eyes are puffy slits. I have stopped applying it but can't get to the docs till next week. Anything I can do?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 15, 2023

"Using once per day on the chest area for precancer treatment. This is my 3rd round in approximately a 6-year time span. Am on week 2 of 3. The itch and burn stage becomes almost unbearable, have been taking ibuprofen for about 4 days. Woke up at 3:40 a.m. Could not sleep due to itch and pain. It’s now 5:30 a.m. and have an ice pack on top of two layers of a t-shirt. Wearing high neck shirts doubled. Wear some of the lower cut t-shirts backward to keep the upper chest covered. Feel itchy in areas close to the application site also. Even feeling a little itchy on the lower cheek area from time to time. This will pass and it is totally worth it. One more week to go. Can do this. I apply one hour before bedtime per instruction from my dermatologist. Ice pack seems to be giving some relief. Hang in there. And please stay out of the sun. Tell your kids and grandkids to use sunscreen and not worship the sun. I didn’t listen as a teen. Wish I would have."

• Rit...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 23, 2023

Fluorouracil topical "A sun worshipper from my teen years and up... I had/have spots of skin cancer on my face/arms/chest. I was sent to a plastic surgeon and had a spot surgically removed from between my brows (not a good experience). I am now using Efudex. I am tolerating the pain, itching, and side effects, but I find it helps. I have used it on my face, arms, and chest with good results. I have been using it intermittently for 1.5 years and will continue until my skin cancer is gone. It may be a while."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2023

"I have been using this on my scalp and ears. I had surgery on my scalp for some skin cancer. My new doctor gave me the cream to use on the other spots. This saved another surgery. The spots have nearly gone, same with the ears, those spots are gone. I think more doctors should prescribe this rather than surgery every time."

• Bos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2022

"Couldn't have a squamous cell carcinoma surgically removed because of the elasticity of location, so Dr. agreed to let me try fluorouracil cream. Used it religiously daily for 7 weeks, and it cleared up beautifully thereafter. I applied it in the AM and PM after showering. I am very pleased with the outcome. It can look nasty for a while during the treatment, but that means it's working, so don't give up on it."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 10, 2023

"I’ve used this cream three times with good results. However, I got ripped off the last time. I paid $110 for a tube at Costco. Halfway through my three-week treatment, I discovered the tube had a big air pocket in it. So, in order to complete my treatment, I had to order another tube."

• Lou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 26, 2025

Fluorouracil topical "Great success with 14-day broadcast application to my forehead several months ago. Handled persistent AKs and greatly improved cosmetic appearance. Significantly healed after just seven days. Some (very) pale red residual redness remained several weeks thereafter, but quite minor overall. I stayed active in the outside world throughout treatment and healing. Currently in healing phase on whole face - sans forehead - and clavicles. Two-week course again. Definitely a far more painful, uncomfortable, and difficult experience vs. the smooth sailing with my forehead. I’ve become a hermit this time, as my current cosmetic appearance is markedly worse and impairing versus the forehead treatment. I’m again hoping for a complete cosmetic healing in a prompt timeframe, but much greater discoloration and discomfort (PAIN) with this lower facial application at 14 days. It has been a difficult road, but the revealed issues indicate it was wise to proceed with the treatment."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2025

"I've been using fluorouracil 5 for 2 weeks now. At first, I didn't see anything, but after a little over a week, I had many red spots on my chest and some on my face! Was told to do only 2 weeks, but after reading up on this, it says it could take 2-4 weeks to start to scale off! How long does it usually take for this process from anyone's experience? I can say that the cream really wasn't irritating! Hopeful for good end results!"

• oly...
• September 25, 2008

Fluorouracil topical "This product works very well to eliminate skin cancers. It becomes quite irritating after a few days, and very irritating at about 10 days, but it gets rid of the skin cancer in a couple of weeks."

• Nad...
• September 26, 2013

Fluorouracil topical "I have found this cream is fantastic. There is a good deal of pain when using it but it kills the precancer cells. Read the directions and follow them."

• ter...
• February 25, 2009

Fluorouracil topical "This stuff is working great. I still have a long way to go but the results of one month of this applied daily has made a world of difference."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2021

"CeraVe healing ointment (blue tube) soothes and heals better than Aquaphor. Treated my lower lip for 7 days. CeraVe soothes the sting while healing the following weeks."