First Case of Topical 5-FU Therapy for Cutaneous Metastasis in a Patient with Colon Cancer

Eurasian J Med Oncol. 2020;4(1):89-93. doi: 10.14744/ejmo.2020.81980. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Abstract

Cutaneous metastasis from colon cancer is rare, occurs in less than 6% of patients and its associated with poor prognosis. Most often it presents in the abdomen, inguinal or perineal regions, supraclavicular area, and less commonly on the face, neck, scalp, and prior surgical sites. We present a case of a 41-year-old female with colon cancer who developed cutaneous metastases to the scalp, and was treated with topical 5-FU and radiation therapy. Treatment options for cutaneous metastases usually include systemic therapy, topical chemotherapy, surgical excision, or radiation. Our case is probably the first report who was treated with topical 5-FU in addition to radiation therapy. This treatment modality is easy to use and we would recommend clinical trials to be conducted to further study the use of topical 5-FU.

Keywords: 5-FU; Adenocarcinoma; colon cancer; cutaneous metastasis; fluorouracil imiquimod; skin-directed treatment; synergy; synergy of topical and systemic treatments; topical treatment.