5-Fluorouracil effective in treating actinic keratosis even with poor adherence

San Diego

- According to a study presented at the American Academy of Family Physicians, although adherence to topical treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for actinic keratosis is poor, response is still good, Doctor's Guide reports.

Researchers evaluated treatment efficacy in 20 patients with moderate-to- severe actinic keratosis. Patients were instructed to apply 5-FU once daily for four weeks. Adherence rates ranged from 54 percent to 100 percent (mean 86 percent). Even with poor adherence, researchers saw a high treatment response with about 80 percent clearance of lesions.