Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of skin cells. If left unchecked, these cancer cells can spread from the skin into other tissues and organs. Topical antineoplastics work by different mechanisms to prevent the development and spread of neoplastic cells.
5-fluorouracil (5-FU): The drug most often used in topical treatment of actinic keratoses, as well as some basal and squamous cell skin cancers, is 5-FU (with brand names such as Efudex, Carac, and Fluoroplex). It is typically applied to the skin once or twice a day for several weeks.
Cytotoxic agents are a class of drug that are used to treat severe and/or refractory skin disease. Examples methotrexat, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofeti, topical 5-fluoruracil, thioguanine, hydroxyurea, cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil, with melphalan.
Antineoplastic drugs are medications used to treat cancer. Other names for antineoplastic drugs are anticancer, chemotherapy, chemo, cytotoxic, or hazardous drugs. These drugs come in many forms, including liquids or pills.
This is called topical chemotherapy. It treats the cancer cells where you apply it. Very little of the drug is absorbed into the rest of your body. It is only used for cancers affecting the top layer of skin (superficial skin cancers).
