Other Options For Diagnosing/Treating Ak Besides Efudex

Hello, I saw the dermatologist np yesterday as I was concerned about a spot on my nose and eyebrow.  She said that it looked AK and prescribed Efudex and explained how it would react only to the precancerous or cancerous spots. After reading the brochure, looking at the pictures, and reading messages from this board I'm very concerned about how I will look during the treatment. I'm a jh teacher and it would be impossible to be in front of the kids if my face becomes a mess. They will be totally focused on my appearance. Due to other surgeries on various joints from arthritis ( 3 rotator cuff tears), having children, etc. I do not have a lot of sick days accumulated so I can't take time off for the treatment. Is there any other way to diagnose and or treat AK's besides Efudex?  I also have my son's college graduation on 5/11 and I'm to start treatment on 4/10 so I'm worried as to how I will look and its scheduled to take place outdoors too. I also breed horses and am constantly outside etc. I would prefer to wait a month and start after his graduation although that will be tough with the horses. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

Irene

Yes, Efudex or Carac will normally cause "erosion" and you also have to be careful of sunlight, etc.  If your doc is just thinking AK, then what is the hurry?  But you may look into the "blue light" therapy option.  Here is a link with basic info.  Some insurance may not cover it however.  Regards, Whitey

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_4X_Photodyna

Sorry, link did not seem to work, but if this one also moved, just Google  Aminolevulinic acid and you will find info.

Hi, Thank you very much for the response and the info. I am not sure what the hurry is either and it was the nurse practictioner that said to use it. While I realize that they can know a lot I still would have preferred to have the doctor look at it before starting the treatment.  The pdt treatment sounds much better for me  due to my job and the fact that we have horses which require me to be outside.  It sounds like the recovery time is much faster.  Hopefully insurance will pay for at least part of it. Thanks again,

Irene

sporthorse, you may be long gone from this board and have likely already made your treatment decisions, but...if it is AK, there is no rush. You could certainly do Efudex during the summer when you aren't teaching. My derm gave me the Rx and just said, do these areas when you are ready, and come back in six months.

Hope things are working out well for you, and thanks for teaching our young men and women.