Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2025
06:15
Author Spotlight: Anterior HR-OCT as a Non-Invasive Tool for Characterizing Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Published on: August 9, 2024
1.2K
Reactive Keratoacanthoma Following Treatment with 5-Fluorouracil.
Komal A Paradkar1, Alisha N Plotner2
1Ms. Paradkar is with The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, Ohio.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology
|December 21, 2023
Summary
Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for actinic keratoses (AKs) can trigger severe reactions, including reactive keratoacanthomas (KAs). This study highlights unique cases of elderly women developing KAs after 5-FU treatment for lower extremity AKs.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Skin Cancer Research
Background:
- Keratoacanthoma (KA) is an epidermal tumor, often considered a variant of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), typically linked to UV damage or skin trauma.
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a common topical treatment for early KC and actinic keratoses (AKs).
Observation:
- Two elderly female patients with lower extremity AKs were treated with topical 5-FU.
- Both patients experienced severe inflammatory reactions following 5-FU application.
Findings:
- The severe inflammatory reactions progressed to the development of reactive keratoacanthomas (KAs) in both patients.
- These cases represent a unique presentation of 5-FU-induced reactive KAs.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for severe inflammatory reactions and reactive KAs with topical 5-FU, particularly on the extremities.
- Further investigation into the mechanisms of 5-FU-induced reactive KAs may inform treatment strategies and patient monitoring.
