Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that begins in the squamous cells. These are the cells that make up the outer layer of skin. SCC is the second most common form of skin cancer and affects millions of people around the world.

Although it is usually not life-threatening if detected early, it can be destructive if it metastasizes to other parts of the body.

In the past, there were limited treatment options available for SCC. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy were the main ways to treat the cancer.

However, these treatments can be painful, have side effects, and may not completely eliminate the cancer.

New Treatment for SCC

Recently, a new treatment has been introduced that shows promising results in eliminating SCC tumors. The treatment, called intralesional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is a type of chemotherapy that is injected directly into the tumor.

The idea behind the treatment is to deliver high doses of the chemotherapy drug directly to the cancerous cells, while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.

5-FU is particularly effective against SCC because it inhibits the production of DNA, which is required for the cancer cells to grow and divide.

Success of Intralesional 5-FU Treatment

The effectiveness of intralesional 5-FU treatment has been studied in a number of clinical trials. In one study, 25 patients with SCC were treated with the injection and followed up for a year.

At the end of the study, 96% of the patients had a complete response to the treatment, meaning that their tumors were completely eliminated. In addition, there were no serious side effects reported.

Another study looked at the use of intralesional 5-FU in combination with other treatments for SCC.

The combination of 5-FU, curettage (scraping off the tumor), and electrodessication (burning the remaining tumor with electricity) had a success rate of 98% in eliminating SCC tumors.

Benefits of Intralesional 5-FU Treatment

The benefits of intralesional 5-FU treatment for SCC are numerous. Firstly, the treatment is minimally invasive and requires only a local anesthetic. This means that patients can go home the same day and resume their normal activities within a few days.

Secondly, the treatment has a high success rate in eliminating SCC tumors, and the tumors are less likely to recur than with other treatments. Thirdly, intralesional 5-FU has few side effects compared to other therapies. The most common side effects are minor pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site.

Who Can Benefit from Intralesional 5-FU Treatment?

Intralesional 5-FU treatment is particularly suited to patients who have small or superficial SCC tumors. Patients with larger tumors or tumors that have grown deep into the skin may require other treatments such as surgery.

Patients who cannot undergo surgery or other therapies due to health or other reasons may also be good candidates for the treatment.

Conclusion

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that affects millions of people worldwide. In the past, there were limited treatment options available, which were often painful, had side effects, and may not completely eliminate the cancer.

However, the introduction of intralesional 5-FU treatment for SCC has provided a new, minimally invasive treatment option that has a high success rate in eliminating tumors. Patients with small or superficial SCC tumors, or who cannot undergo surgery or other therapies, may benefit the most from the treatment.