Chemotherapy is the treatment used for treating cancer. In chemotherapy treatment, drugs are used to treat cancer. There are two types of the chemotherapy treatment. They are topical chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy.
In topical chemotherapy, anticancer drugs are applied to the skin instead of being given by orally or intravenously. Anticancer drugs used in topical chemotherapy are a lotion, cream, ointment or special bandage.
In the topical of penile cancer, 5-fluorouracil (5 FU) is commonly used as chemotherapy drug. 5 FU chemotherapy is applied in the form of topical cream on the skin. However, it is not get absorbed. It can reach the cancer cells near the skin. But it can not reach the cancer cells that spread deep into the ski and other parts of the body. Therefore, topical chemotherapy with 5-FU is used for premalignant or carcinoma in situ only.
In topical chemotherapy, drugs are applied on the affected area. So, drugs do not spread in the entire body. It minimizes the side effects which are commonly associated with the systemic chemotherapy treatment. After the topical chemotherapy, biopsy is carried out. If there is cancer, physician recommends surgery.
Though topical chemotherapy does not likely to cause typical side effects like nausea, diarrhea and low blood count. However, skin becomes red and sensitive after applying 5 FU topical cream. One can relieve these side effects using topical medicines or creams. Other side effects associated with topical chemotherapy are irritation, tenderness and itching.
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