Effect of intralesional injection of 5-Fluorouracil in Keloid: an observational study

Abstract

Background: Keloids are quite prone to recurrence. Although triamcinolone injections constitute current first-line treatment, it has been hypothesized that over half of keloids are steroid insensitive. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional injection of 5-Fluorouracil in the treatment of keloids. Hypothesis: The hypothesis of the present
study is that intralesional injection of 5-Fluorouracil is an effective and safe treatment option for keloids. Materials & methods: Over six months, fifty patients with sixty keloid scars underwent either intralesional triamcinolone or 5-fluorouracil injections. The remission rate at six months did not statistically differ between the 5-fluorouracil and triamcinolone groups—47% versus 61%, respectively, during the study period from February 2018 to January 2019. Results: In the triamcinolone group rather than the 5-fluorouracil group, local side effects were more pronounced. Skin atrophy occurred 45% in the triamcinolone group and 9% in the 5-fluorouracil group (p<0.05). Furthermore, occurring in the triamcinolone group was telangiectasia with a frequency
of 51% and in the 5-fluorouracil 22% (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this investigation, triamcinolone and 5-fluorouracil injections had no difference in their clinical efficacy. For cosmetically sensitive skin areas, 5-fluorouracil injections could be better given the more negative effects noted following triamcinolone treatment.