Your Questions

Q: Dr. Eppley, I came across your website in my search for 5fu injections. I have/had a cyst in my chin/jaw area last august. I have had it injected with cortisone/kenalog multiples times and it has helped but something is still there. I believe it is scar tissue because it’s hard and turning white. But because it never came to a head I’m not totally sure that theres nothing in there but scar tissue. So my question is this; are there any issues with having 5fu injections into a cyst or more likely a scar? Because I know cortisone has risks of fat atrophy and skin thinning. Does 5fu have any side effects like that? And also can you put 5fu in a scar that has had cortisone put into it? Thanks so much.

A: 5FU is not as significantly effective for scar reduction as steroids. This is also why is has none of the side effects of steriods and also why you will often see it combined with steroids for injectable scar therapies. It helps reduce the concentration of steroids needed to lessen their potential side effects as well as enhances the effects of 5FU. It works best in the early treatment of scar tissue formation. But it would not be an effective treatment for a true cyst. I am assuming that what you had may have been for cystic acne which is really an inflammatory condition so steroid injections would have been an appropriate treatment. But a true dermoid cyst is not going to go away long-term with any injectable scar therapy.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana