How to Use Skin Cancer Treatment Efudex

Skin cancer is on the rise around the world. Several types of skin cancer can occur ranging from mild to severe and malignant. Most causes of skin cancer are over-exposure to the sun throughout the life of a person. Efudex is one treatment on the market today that has shown to be effective in two types of skin cancer.

What Cancer does Efudex Treat?

Efudex is used in two types of skin cancer:

• Actinic keratosis (AK) – actinic keratosis is the earliest stage of squamous cell carcinoma. Increasingly these AKs have been developing in younger and younger patients.


• Basal cell carcinoma – the majority of skin cancers are basal cell and due to greater sun exposure. The appearance of basal cell carcinoma is developing in younger patients.

The cure rate for Efudex is showing to be consistently high with a 93% cure rate in basal cell carcinoma and an 86% rate of cure for AK lesions.

How to Use Efudex

Efudex is a topical cream or solution that is applied directly to the area that is affected.

• Efudex cream –apply the Efudex cream to the affected areas twice daily. Typically this will be once the morning and once at night. The cream should be used to cover the lesion. Care should be taken when the application is near the eyes, mouth and nose. Application may be performed with a nonmetal applicator or your fingertip. Wash hands thoroughly after each application.


• Efudex solution – the Efudex solution container comes equipped with a built-in applicator. Hold the applicator against the affected area and squeeze. When a small amount reaches the skin, stop and allow the solution to penetrate. Care should also be used when applying near the eyes, nose and mouth.

What to Expect During Treatment

During the first four weeks of treatment, the areas affected by the actinic keratosis or basal cell carcinoma lesions will begin to turn red and maybe irritated. This is not a cause for concern and should be considered a normal reaction to the treatment. The redness and irritation simply means the Efudex is working to rid the skin of the unhealthy cells. This period of treatment may be unsightly and uncomfortable, however it is important not to stop the treatment and remember it will get better.