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Br J Ophthalmol 2000;84:268-272 doi:10.1136/bjo.84.3.268
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Treatment of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma with topical 5-fluorouracil

  1. Edoardo Midena,
  2. Claudia Degli Angeli,
  3. Massimo Valenti,
  4. Valentina de Belvis,
  5. Paolo Boccato
  1. Ocular Oncology Service, Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
  1. Edoardo Midena, MD, Ocular Oncology Service, Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy
  • Accepted 22 September 1999

Abstract

AIM To evaluate the efficacy of topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) alone, without concurrent surgery or radiotherapy, for the treatment of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS Eight patients affected by conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (three recurrent cases, three incompletely excised, and two untreated cases) were treated with 1% 5-FU eye drops. Topical 1% 5-FU was administered four times daily for 4 weeks (one course). Clinical examination (biomicroscopy and photography) and morphological evaluation of conjunctival cytological specimens were used to monitor the efficacy of local chemotherapy, side effects, and recurrences.

RESULTS All patients showed clinical regression of conjunctival carcinoma after topical 1% 5-FU treatment. Neoplastic conjunctiva was completely replaced by normal epithelium within 3 months. Mean follow up was 27 months. One patient needed two courses of local chemotherapy for recurrent disease. An acute transient toxic keratoconjunctivitis was observed in all treated cases; it was easily controlled with topical therapy. No long term side effects were found.

CONCLUSIONS Topical 1% 5-FU is effective in the treatment of recurrent, incompletely excised, and selected untreated conjunctival squamous cell carcinomas. Topical 1% 5-FU has no major complications. This study suggests that topical conjunctival chemotherapy with 1% 5-FU may be useful, at least as adjunctive therapy, in the treatment of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.

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