CHEMOTHERAPY FOR DISSEMINATED ACTINIC KERATOSES WITH 5-FLUOROURACIL AND ISOTRETINOIN

Background: Disseminated actinic keratoses are a therapeutic problem. Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of a combination o f topical 5-fluorouracil twice a day and 20 mg of oral isotretinoin da ily for disseminated actinic keratoses. Methods: Twenty-seven patients who had disseminated actinic keratoses (3 women, 24 men) were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5%) twice a day applied to the photodamaged area bearing actinic keratoses along with oral isotretinoin, 20 mg daily. The nan treatment time was 21 days. Results: Actinic keratoses disappe ared and signs of photodamaged skin improved in all patients. Side eff ects were burning and itching as well as painful erosions during the f inal stage of treatment. Conclusion: The combination of topical 5-fluo rouracil and isotretinoin is highly effective in the treatment of diss eminated actinic keratoses on photodamaged skin.