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This page contains brief information about fluorouracil and a collection of links to more information from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

US Brand Name(s):		Adrucil
		Efudex
		Fluoroplex
FDA Approved:		Yes

Fluorouracil is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for palliative treatment of the following:

• Colorectal cancer.
• Breast cancer.
• Stomach cancer.
• Pancreatic cancer.

Fluorouracil is approved to be used with other drugs to treat:

• Metastatic colorectal cancer, including cancer that has recurred (come back) or gotten worse after earlier chemotherapy.
• Stage III colorectal cancer (given as adjuvant therapy).
• Locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) that cannot be treated with surgery.
• Gastric adenocarcinoma.

Fluorouracil is also approved to be used by itself as a topical treatment for the following:

• Superficial basal cell carcinoma that cannot be treated with surgery.
• A skin condition called actinic keratosis.

Fluorouracil is also called "5-FU". In addition to the uses that have been approved by the FDA, fluorouracil is sometimes used alone or with other drugs to treat other types of cancer. Fluorouracil also continues to be studied in the treatment of many types of cancer.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Chemotherapy Before Surgery May Increase Survival in Stomach Cancer (07/09/2007) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Patients With Esophageal Cancer May Be Able to Avoid Surgery (04/16/2007) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Chemotherapy Delays Recurrence of Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer (12/06/2006) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Capecitabine an Alternative for Colon Cancer (07/27/2005) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Docetaxel Combination for Node-Positive Breast Cancer (06/28/2005) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Docetaxel Improves Survival in Stomach Cancer (05/15/2005) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Docetaxel Extends Survival in Head and Neck Cancer (06/05/2004) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Bevacizumab for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (06/10/2003) - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

100 Years of Advances Against Cancer - 1960s (03/26/2004) - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

MedlinePlus Information on Fluorouracil - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

MedlinePlus Information on Topical Fluorouracil - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Fluorouracil - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

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