Treatment of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma with topical 5-fluorouracil.

Abstract

AIM:

To evaluate the efficacy of topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) alone, without concurrent surgery or radiotherapy, for the treatment of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS:

Eight patients affected by conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (three recurrent cases, three incompletely excised, and two untreated cases) were treated with 1% 5-FU eye drops. Topical 1% 5-FU was administered four times daily for 4 weeks (one course). Clinical examination (biomicroscopy and photography) and morphological evaluation of conjunctival cytological specimens were used to monitor the efficacy of local chemotherapy, side effects, and recurrences.

RESULTS:

All patients showed clinical regression of conjunctival carcinoma after topical 1% 5-FU treatment. Neoplastic conjunctiva was completely replaced by normal epithelium within 3 months. Mean follow up was 27 months. One patient needed two courses of local chemotherapy for recurrent disease. An acute transient toxic keratoconjunctivitis was observed in all treated cases; it was easily controlled with topical therapy. No long term side effects were found.

CONCLUSIONS:

Topical 1% 5-FU is effective in the treatment of recurrent, incompletely excised, and selected untreated conjunctival squamous cell carcinomas. Topical 1% 5-FU has no major complications. This study suggests that topical conjunctival chemotherapy with 1% 5-FU may be useful, at least as adjunctive therapy, in the treatment of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.

• Authors: E Midena, C D Angeli, M Valenti, V de Belvis, P Boccato
• Journal: The British journal of ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol) Vol. 84 Issue 3 Pg. 268-72 (Mar 2000) ISSN: 0007-1161 [Print] England
• PMID: 10684836 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Aged
• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (drug therapy, pathology)
• Conjunctival Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Evaluation Studies as Topic
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (drug therapy, pathology)