5-fluorouracil iontophoretic therapy for Bowen's disease.

BACKGROUND: Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an accepted therapy for Bowen's disease. Recurrences with this method have been attributed to deep follicular involvement and poor patient compliance because of the prolonged treatment time required.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether iontophoresis of 5-FU is an effective therapy for Bowen's disease.

METHODS: Twenty-six patients with biopsy-proven Bowen's disease received eight 5-FU iontophoretic treatments in 4 weeks. Local excision was done 3 months after the last treatment. The specimens were step-sectioned and evaluated for any histologic evidence of bowenoid changes.

RESULTS: Only 1 of 26 patients showed histologic evidence of Bowen's disease 3 months after treatment.

CONCLUSION: 5-FU iontophoresis appears to be a safe, effective, and well-tolerated therapy for Bowen's disease.