Effect of a 1-Week Treatment With 0.5% Topical Fluorouracil on Occurrence of Actinic Keratosis After Cryosurgery

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: AK has the potential to progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, treatment of all AK lesions has been recommended. However, no long-term controlled clinical trials have been conducted to compare efficacy of cryosurgery alone with cryosurgery following topical application of fluorouracil. A 6-month interim analysis was made as part of a 12-month, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study conducted in 144 patients, aged 18 years or older, with 5 or more visible or palpable AK on the face. Patients applied either 0.05% fluorouracil cream (Carac) or vehicle cream once daily for 7 days. After a 4-week assessment, any residual AK were treated with cryosurgery.