Application of drugs
Malignant disease, which is used for the treatment of Efudex cream (5-Fluorouracil), include:
• Breast Cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Colon cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Cancer of the urinary tract (anus, adrenal gland, bladder, cervix, endometrium, ovary, penis, prostate, and vagina)
• Esophageal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Skin Cancer
Efudex cream may be applied to the skin as a cream to treat actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) that occur on the skin due to chronic prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunburn. These keratoses often serve as a warning signal for the possible development of melanoma. Therefore, the use Efudex cream in these cases may have preventive value.
In addition to cancer treatment Efudex cream may be used postoperatively to prevent scarring in patients undergoing surgery for glaucoma.
Like most chemotherapeutic agents, various methods of administration of 5-Fluorouracil in the body. It can be applied by injection, orally and a cream. The dosage varies and depends on many factors including the type and location of the tumor, the health status and patient age.
Adverse Effects
The action of 5-Fluorouracil based on the inhibition of metabolism of DNA and RNA in dividing cells. Since the fission process is also inherent in normal cells, this type of therapy can be fatal for them. The death of normal cells causes many side effects in patients in the treatment of 5-Fluorouracil.
The most common side effects include:
• Weakness
• Nausea and diarrhea
• Inhibition of bone marrow function with the likely development of anemia
• Increased tendency to bruising
• Stomatitis
• Changes in skin pigmentation
Less common side effects include: “sand” in the eyes or blurred vision, hair loss, loss of appetite, rashes and irritation on the palms and soles of the feet.
