Efudex (Fluorouracil) Skin Cancer Treatment

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35 responses so far ↓

  •   Donna // Jun 3rd 2008 at 10:41 pm

    Fritz, thank you for sharing your journey with me. Thank you also for not sharing it sooner! My heart goes out to you and your family (who must have gone through their own suffering while witnessing your pain). The wonderful attitude you have brought to your treatment is the reason why you will always win your battles - nothing keeps you down long! Be well, my friend. You’ve earned it.

  •   Char // Jul 7th 2008 at 10:32 pm

    Fritz, We (my husband and I) have started the wonderful journey of Efudex. He is going through the physical aspect. Me the wife, mother, and nurse. I would love to support the cause and would like to inquire how to post our story. Char

  •   Guy Coates // Aug 19th 2008 at 12:09 pm

    Many thanks for sharing your experience with Efudex. I just started my treatment and am on day 4. I’m not looking forward to what is ahead. I hope the end results were worth the effort.

  •   Ron // Aug 21st 2008 at 4:05 pm

    Fritz,
    Found your site after searching on Efudex, am on day 5 of a “spot” treatment for AK on my cheek. So you don’t have to read further, the good news is this is my second time around and I got ~9 years out of the first treatment and am now only treating an area the size of a quarter! I don’t usually post at sites but yours caught my eye.

    I am a 51 yr old red hair blue eyed burner with a family history of skin cancer. Had first BCC at age 36 and have been on first name basis with dermatologist since. Multiple years of surgical removals and LN2 treatments took me to age 42. Dr had just biopsied what would latter become my first SCC. He spent a lot of time explaining that Efudex was very effective for many of his “older” patients and recommended I use it on face and neck. Did my treatment during fall, made sure I had no travel plans, and explained situation to my boss. Best story I can relate during treatment was when a colleague came up and said “I don’t want to ask you personal questions, but are you using Efudex? You look just like the pictures my Dr showed me of what I’ll look like after treatment”. While I’ve had multiple BCC/SCC since, all but 1 was from untreated areas (had 1 SCC on forehead but I think I had hair there 9 yrs ago;)

    You’re a brave man for doing it all at once and hope you have a long period of time before puncturing that tube again!

  •   Joanne // Sep 4th 2008 at 1:39 am

    Hi,
    Sept3, 2008, today was day 1 for me. I’m wondering if I’m crazy after reading your page and looking at the photos. What was your final outcome? Were you happy with the results? I’m wondering why you didn’t post after photos.
    Thanks

  •   Michael // Sep 11th 2008 at 3:56 am

    Hi Fritz,

    you are a brave man, I can’t believe you treated all these areas at the same time.

    I have just finished a 1xdaily application of efudix (different spelling in Australia) to my face. I was supposed to go for 4 weeks but stopped after 3 (22 applications), I thought my skin had seen enough (in particular where my nose meets my cheeks has suffered the most).
    I am 39 yrs old, fair skin, blue eyes and have probably had about 20 SK’s burnt from my face in the past, and a dermatologist suggested I do the cream. Funnily enough he showed me some lame photo of a guy with a few red spots on his face and said that this would be the type of reaction I should expect…and wow was he a long way from the truth! I have recently had 4 days off work, due to bad nights sleeping.
    Today is my 4th day since finishing the cream, and my skin is looking at its worst now.
    I have read a lot of blogs about this cream, and everyone says it was worth it in the end…I hope so.

    ps. really enjoyed your writing style!

  •   Lynn // Sep 24th 2008 at 3:17 pm

    Thank you for sharing your photos. I am going to start treatment in a couple of weeks and my heart is beating fast … I am so not looking forward to this but I am thankful to everyone who shares their experience.

  •   JP // Jan 7th 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Fritz,

    Did you get any pock marks on your face like I did? Just curious.

  •   John // Jan 23rd 2009 at 12:17 pm

    Your website has been very helpful to me during my treatment. One caution that I have not found anywhere, although Web searches have found at least 10 patients who had this happen to them.

    The instructions for the drug always make clear to avoid eyes, mouth and mucous members. Men need also to avoid any contact with their scrotum skin, which is highly absorptive. An inadvertant transfer of the drug during sleep caused a severe burn that took more than three weeks to heal.

  •   Fritz // Jan 23rd 2009 at 12:33 pm

    JP, very sorry to take so long to reply. I did not have any residual damage like pock marks.

    John, I am glad you found the site helpful. I was always careful to wash my hands after application. That sounds very painful and I don’t eve want to think about it!

  •   John // Jan 25th 2009 at 12:20 pm

    Fritz,

    Actually, one of the few things I did right was to always carefully wash my hands. What I did wrong, in the beginning, was apply an excessive amount of the drug to my treatment areas, which were my face, bald head and arms.

    My doctor and I believe that I must have touched one of these areas while sleeping and, in the tossing and turning of the night, transferred a small amount to scotal skin.

    The drug, of course, is only supposed to affect sun-damaged skin and not healthy skin. But there is at least one credible journal article now confirming that this is not true for the absorptive scrotal skin, something men need to be aware of.

    Again, thank you for this website and the helpful information it offers to all of us undergoing this treatment.

    John

  •   AnnL // Jan 26th 2009 at 2:58 pm

    Hello Fritz, First, thank you for being so brave as to post your pics. My husband is contemplating this ordeal. We both are very hesitant and the more we think about it, the worse the fear gets. He thinks he will have to take a leave of absence from work to endure the pain, itching, sleeplessness, and the physical and mental torture he will go through. Can he really do it? Is it the worst pain you’ve ever been in? How do people get through this? His dermatologist really downplayed what will happen to him, and thank god for the blogs, such as yours, which paint an accurate picture of what goes on with this treatment. We hope to hear from you, if at all possible. Are you now completely done with this treatment? Are you glad you did it? Did you go to work while on it? Thank you and congratulations for getting through it!!!!!

  •   Fritz // Jan 26th 2009 at 9:19 pm

    Ann, I am completely done with the treatment.

    I have to say, thinking back, I don’t think of the experience as having been painful, as much as uncomfortable. The only part that was painful was the neck. The face was probably more painful for those around me. :)

    The thing is…depending on how much damage has been done to the skin prior to treatment, the reaction may be rather tame…and if the reaction is significant, that means that it was really important to do it.

    Yes, I am glad I did it. I think it was really needed.

    I do have to say that I was very fortunate to have been able to work from home for a month. But had I been required to be at the office, I think it would have been tolerable all except for the neck. For a few weeks it was very painful to wear a shirt.

    What areas is your husband being asked to treat?

  •   Gwynn // Feb 19th 2009 at 2:25 pm

    Hi Fritz

    Thank you for writing your story. I am in day 6 and after reading your blog, I know what to anticipate in the coming days/weeks.

    I’ve also had breast cancer so I know this is just another chapter in the “journey of life”. Thank you for sharing. Knowledge is power and your story gives reassurances that “this too shall pass”.

  •   chris // Mar 5th 2009 at 2:16 pm

    i’m on day one of using flourouracil (generic) and after reading so many stories on line i realize that my treatment is unique. my dr. has me applying twice a day but only 2 times a week (ie:wed. & sat.) for 2 months. has anyone else heard of this or know the possible reasoning. he currently can’t be reached to ask directly.

    many thanks to fritz for this site!

  •   christian // Mar 21st 2009 at 8:47 am

    Hello
    Myself I’ve been in treatment for molluscum with efudix. The infection was on the base of my pennis and extended to my puvic area. The “Dermatologist” prescrived me Efudix two times a day in all the area for 6 weeks. She adviced me to use the cream in my scrotal skin as well to avoid the appearance of infection in the area. I did it of course!

    After two weeks my scrotal skin was burning like hell and damaging both sides of my tescicles. When I saw such reaction I stopped with the treatment. I took me one and a half week to recover. Nevertheless I wonder if you could help me with the references of the articles that are reffered in one of the post:

    “But there is at least one credible journal article now confirming that this is not true for the absorptive scrotal skin, something men need to be aware of.”

    That would help me a lot to understand what happened.

    Just FYI I have done al the test for STD and nothing appeared.

    Well thanks a lot!

    Christian

  •   dan conway // Mar 22nd 2009 at 9:54 am

    Hi Fritz, thanks for your website. I am on day 8 of a two week treatment regime. Only applying to my face and neck. So far no pain, I wonder if it will eventualy become itchy or sore. Also do you have any idea how long I can expect to have the red spots on my skin? thanx for sharing your story with me. Dan

  •   anami // Mar 29th 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Fritz, you are brave to treat such a large area at once.
    Here’s my story:
    My brother had surgery for skin cancer two years ago - at about the same time that I was noticing lesions on my face.
    Over the course of the past year or so, I had a few AKs burned off - but they came back, or hinted that they would. Now that I knew what to look for, I could see the signs of other AKs on my face.
    Vanity aside, I am fond of the skin on my face. I decided to try the Efudex treatment.
    I am on day 15 and would really like to stop. Based on your story, I think my dermatologist will agree (seeing him tomorrow). I think the drug has done it’s work.
    I also posted my pics on facebook…in the name of science. The doctor’s don’t tell you enough. I guess they don’t want to freak you out but I’d rather know.
    Thanks Fritz, for creating this site!

  •   Barbara // Apr 10th 2009 at 2:18 pm

    Fritz, I don’t know if you are still responding, but here it goes. I’m blonde, blue eyes, fair skinned and I’m my 3rd week. I am doing my chest and neck area and at the moment would like to scream. Seems I can’t even wear necklaces anymore. Heres my question. How do you know when you are done? When is the right time to stop? If you keep applying will it eventually not turn red and burn? What is your experience? Or what did your Dr. tell you?

  •   debbie schiller // Apr 11th 2009 at 2:08 pm

    FRitz, I am on day 12 of Efudex (face and arms) I have done it before so knew what to expect. This time my face seems extra red and burning, itching and painful. Did you use aquaphor or any steroid cream during treatment ? Do not want to hinder effectiveness of Efudex but if I don’t get some relief (using tylenol) I may abort treatment. Can not believe you stuck it out so long..yours photos are the worst I’ve seen and making me hang in there a little longer! Debbie

  •   Lorri // Apr 30th 2009 at 11:59 am

    Fritz, I have to agree - you were brave/crazy to do such a big area at once! I am on day 9 of my treatment (face and ears) and I was searching out pictures to see if what I was experiencing was normal… Unfortunately, I would have to say so! Thanks to you (and to the other photo diaries that are linked on your site) I at least know exactly what I am heading for over the next couple of weeks.

    For all of those blonde/blue (or as in my case, green)eyed out there who are wondering if this is worth it, I’ll tell you why I decided that it will be - even now that I’ve seen the pictures of what’s to come…

    My grandfather was a fair-skinned, blonde, blue-eyed Kansas wheat farmer who stuck out the depression and the dust bowl - he even managed to keep the family farm through the ’70s and ’80s when so many went under. What he didn’t escape was the sun. By the time that I knew him, his cheeks were filled with scars and his ears looked like they had been chewed by rats - all from the doctor cutting away little skin cancers. He lived to be 86 - the skin cancers didn’t kill him, but they did give a new meaning to the descriptive term “craggy!”

    Over the next few weeks, I may look worse than Grandpa ever did. But, it will heal and my ears will remain smooth. I expect that I can look forward to repeating this treatment on my neck, shoulders, arms and chest at other times… The memories of a few sunburns that looked nearly as bad as some of the treatment pictures that I’ve seen weigh heavy. But we didn’t know then what we do now!

    My 17 year old daughter asked me a couple of days ago if she will ever have to do this… Guess what I said…

    WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!!!

    Thanks again for your journal - it really helps!
    L.

  •   rita g // May 4th 2009 at 3:27 pm

    I am on day 14 using efudex on my arms and legs. I must have scratched my face after the application because my face is red, rashy and itches like hell. My arms are so painful they are swollen. They hurt when I stand up and my arms go to my side and it is like the blood is draining to my fingertips. I missed my dose last night but I am starting up today and can’t wait for my last dose on May 10,2009. So close but so far away. I have tried cortozone and various lotions, but it just makes me itch and i scratch only to make it worse. I’m gonna hang in there but I am in total pain. Tylenol seems to help somewhat. Please wish me luck. Thankyou for your insights.

  •   Efudex Pics // May 25th 2009 at 11:37 am

    I too have an online journal and pics. Would love for you to share it with your visitors!

  •   Efudex Pics // May 25th 2009 at 11:38 am

    Forgot to mention, my URL is: http://efudex-photos.blogspot.com/

    Also, to anyone who is considering purchasing Fluorouracil from a Canadian pharmacy, please check out my site above! Don’t make the mistake I did!

  •   Connie // Jun 9th 2009 at 9:47 am

    I started treatment 7 days ago, applying the cream 2 times a day. I haven’t seen a sign that it’s working yet. I am to apply it like this for 18 days. I am wondering if the pharmacy mixed the compound correctly. I have a severe case of AK on my arms and legs.

  •   Rob Miller // Aug 6th 2009 at 12:45 am

    Cool site.

  •   john rogers // Aug 17th 2009 at 4:48 am

    Hi nice to read your journal to give you information about the whole process. in australia efudex is called efudix,but it is the same cream. anyway I’m just about through my ordeal and anyone wishing to see my journal go to http://www.myefudixphotos.blogspot.com I started my treatment 26july2009.

  •   Mike M, Age 61 // Aug 25th 2009 at 10:33 pm

    Thanks for all the information. I am on day 6 of only applying to my face and your blog helped me understand what is to come. Take care and my God bless.

  •   Sasha // Oct 27th 2009 at 12:17 am

    Fritz, thank you! glad I found this sight. Very helpful to know that you are far from being alone. I am finishing the treatment in 3 days.

    Just to share: when my doctor was explaining to me how to use it, I was absolutely sure that he said: “you should use it on your lips as well”, which I did for about 3-4 days! I bet you can picture my lips at that point.

    Let us all stay healthy!
    Sasha

  •   Carmen H // Nov 11th 2009 at 5:11 pm

    I start treatment tonight on my forehead: 4 weeks with Carac. Then every 6 weeks move to a new section of my face. Im not brave as you to do it all at once…lol
    I’ll see how it goes. Thanks for all the info

  •   Brian // Mar 25th 2010 at 2:52 pm

    Fritz,
    Thanks for helping me prepare for my efudex experience. I am on Day 2. Too early to feel or see anything. My dermatologist showed me pictures of people with a few red spots on their face. I appreciate you sharing your photo’s.

  •   Jode // Apr 9th 2010 at 12:32 am

    Fritz,
    This is a great site for people who are about to use Efudex it helps to know what to expect.. just finished day 14 on my entire face, it is spotty sore red itchy giving me hot flashes and chills at the same time. My 2nd go round im also using it on my entire hands and arms to elbows, thay dont seem to be so bad. @ more weeks on my arms and ill be checking in w the derm 2moro to see if im done on my face. I have not wanted to see anyone and lucky for me i live in isolation and havent had to. next time its Aldara… Jode

  •   richard kelly // May 1st 2010 at 8:35 am

    Hi ,
    I have used the efudex for 5 days extra over the 4 week point as previous treatments still had the lesions appearing as i was finishing the application period.
    Also I had read somewhere that at least 4 weeks of treatment may be necessary.
    Although the skin healed fairly quickly to begin with I am now left with red patches on my face that are not getting any better over two months later.He thinks the blood vessels are damaged ,causing blood to leak into my face thus causing even more redness when exercising or when hot.
    I appreciate this is my own fault and that these may be chemical burns.
    My dermatoligst seems to be at a loss if/how to treat them.
    Does anyone know if anything can be done to reduce the redness?
    Thanks.
    Richard

  •   Dean // Jun 3rd 2010 at 2:16 am

    Just concluding four weeks of treatment. Had a friendly dermatologist, only have had to do forehead and temples, said he would never make anyone do a whole face at once. For those familiar with Star Trek Enterprise - call me Dr Phlox.
    Had a two day break form all applcation and now commencing 4 times a day Hydrocortisone for 4 days. Feeling a little more human but only just. still getting itchy

  •   Cally // Jun 28th 2010 at 8:46 pm

    I have used efudex in the past for a few small spots on my face. This time time the dermatologist wanted me to use it for a couple of tiny spots along my lip line. I used it very sparingly….pinpoint amounts…along my lower lipline twice a day and had to quit after 11 days. My lower lip became extremely sore and now…on day 16, the lip is lined with sores and scabs inside and out…can’t even eat….am using lots of vaseline and ibuprofen. Has this happened to anyone else and will it heal….soon….ever..? Thanks!

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