Chemotherapy for Keloid Treatment
Keloids are scars which extend beyond the margins of the original injury. They are often hard due to excess collagen synthesis with an abnormal pigmentation and can occur even after minor skin injuries such as piercing or insect bites. They appear to have a tendency to run in families, though no single gene has been identified. Keloids are more common in those with African or Asian descent. Keloids cannot just be removed by surgery as they often recur.
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Chemotherapy
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A number of chemotherapy drugs have been used in the treatment of keloids: 5 Flurouracil (5-FU), mitomycin, bleomycin, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), tamoxifen and imiquimod. They are based on the knowledge that chemotherapy drugs can inhibit the proliferation of the cells in the keloid and can block collagen synthesis.
Side Effects
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A number of side effects have been described when using chemotherapeutic drugs including pain, irritation, skin sloughing and alteration in pigmentation.
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Administration
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These chemotherapy drugs can be given as the sole treatment or in combination with other treatments including compression, silicon sheets, surgical excision, intralesional steroids, shaving of keloids, lasers and other drugs (i.e., the steroid triamcinolone).
Recurrence
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The success of chemotherapy on keloids appears to not only depend on whether it is used with other treatments but also the location of the keloid.
Other Treatments
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Prevention is better than cure and if you know you have a history of keloids. Any elective surgery should be discussed with your surgeon.
There are other treatments available for keloids which include compression, surgery, cryotherapy, corticosteroids, radiation, vitamin E, interferon treatment, onion extract, verapamil and radiotherapy--all with varying degrees of success depending on the individual and location of the keloids. New therapies are currently being studied.
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