The topical use of 5-fluorouracil in the ear in the management of cholesteatoma and excessive mucous secretion.

Abstract

5-Fluorouracil was introduced in the early 1960s as a topical chemotherapeutic agent and has become increasingly accepted because of its efficacy, economy, and relative absence of side effects in treating many pre-cancerous conditions, certain benign and malignant tumors, and dermatoses. This paper addresses the use of topical 5-fluorouracil in the management of cholesteatoma and unwanted mucus-secreting cells. A retrospective study has suggested a very impressive efficacy of topical 5-fluorouracil in the management of cholesteatoma and, to a lesser degree, control of hyper-mucus-secreting cells at locations in the middle ear and mastoid. The use of topical 5-fluorouracil in the management of hyperkeratosis, cholesteatoma in the middle ear and mastoid, and in the external canal has been almost 100% effective with very few side effects. In the management of hyper-mucous-secreting cells, 5-fluorouracil has a success rate of approximately 50%.

• Authors: M F Smith
• Journal: The Laryngoscope (Laryngoscope) Vol. 95 Issue 10 Pg. 1202-3 (Oct 1985) ISSN: 0023-852X [Print] United States
• PMID: 4046704 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• Cholesteatoma (drug therapy)
• Ear Diseases (drug therapy)
• Ear, Middle (metabolism)
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Mucus (metabolism)