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Principles of care

Topical agents include mustine and 5‐FU (Wilkes [268]). The most widely used is 5% 5‐FU cream for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas. It is usually applied once or twice daily until significant penetration of the damaged or diseased skin can be achieved, and a typical response pattern has been observed. This can take up to 1–3 weeks when local erythema, blistering and ulceration occur. Once the affected skin starts sloughing, regranulization of normal tissue will begin to occur (Wilkes [268]).
Considerations include safe handling when applying the cream by wearing gloves and using low‐linting swabs or non‐metal applicators (Weinstein and Hagle [265], Wilkes [268]). It is important to protect the normal skin and avoid the eyes and other mucous membranes.
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