Efudex^®

Efudex^® is approved for topical treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs), a skin disease also known as solar keratoses. AKs can often indicate the early stages of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Efudex^® has been shown to provide rapid results within the first two to four weeks of treatment for AKs. Additional AKs lesions are also often detected and cleared during treatment with Efudex^®.

Efudex^® is also used in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC), one of the two most widespread forms of skin cancer. When conventional methods, such as surgery, are not viable, Efudex^® five percent cream or solution is used for treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our cancer specialists will determine if Efudex^® is the right treatment option for you. Your team of cancer doctors will work together to develop an individualized plan of treatment. In order to fight your disease on all fronts, we use a powerful combination of traditional, innovative and complementary therapies to treat your mind, body and spirit.

Chat now with a CTCA cancer information specialist to learn more about our whole-person approach to cancer treatment.

The most common side effects (those experienced in more than 30% of patients) associated with Efudex^® treatment include the following:

• Pain, itching, burning, soreness, scaling, rash, irritation, dryness, swelling, inflammation, tenderness at the site of Efudex^® application

Following the completion of Efudex^® treatment, these side effects will heal.

Other less common side effects (those experienced in roughly 10 to 29 percent of patients) associated with Efudex^® treatment include the following:

• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Discoloration of the skin or scarring

It is important to note that these are not all of the side effects associated with Efudex^® treatment.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), your team of cancer experts will ensure you are at the center of everything we do. You will remain well-informed regarding the expectations and side effects of Efudex^®, as well as all other forms of skin cancer treatment, and your team of cancer specialists will work with you to develop the right complementary and alternative therapies for you.

Efudex^® is used to treat actinic keratoses (AKs). AKs is not an actual form of cancer. However, this skin disease, also known as solar keratoses, represents the earliest stages of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), one of the two most common forms of skin cancer.

Actinic keratoses is a result of overexposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. First appearing as small brown, tan or reddish-brown patches, AKs can be flat or raised, as small as a few millimeters, and will typically appear as larger patches on areas of the body which receive the most UV exposure, such as the face, hands, arms and legs. AKs can develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) if left untreated, which can then spread to other areas of the body.

Efudex^® is also approved for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (SBCC). In contrast to squamous cell carcinoma, sBCC does not spread to other areas of the body.

Also induced by the sun's harmful UV rays, basal cell carcinoma is characterized by red, scaly, flat lesions, which typically appear in clusters on the nose and around the eye. Efudex^® 5 percent solution or cream is commonly used to treat basal cell carcinoma when conventional treatment methods (such as surgery) are impractical.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our cancer experts will work together to determine if Efudex^® is the right treatment option for you. Call 800-234-0509 to speak with an Oncology Information Specialist today.