Which topical treatment is effective in managing actinic keratosis?

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a topical chemotherapy agent that is specifically effective in treating actinic keratosis (AK). Actinic keratosis is characterized by rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed skin, and it is considered a precancerous condition that can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. 5-FU works by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA and RNA, targeting rapidly dividing abnormal cells found in these lesions. The treatment induces a localized inflammatory response, prompting the body to shed the abnormal cells, ultimately leading to a reduction in the lesions.

The other options, while useful in dermatological practice, do not specifically target actinic keratosis in the same way. For example, topical retinoids can help by promoting cell turnover and might be used in some cases, but they are not as directly effective as 5-FU for treating AK. Antibiotic ointments are primarily used to treat bacterial infections and are not indicated for actinic keratosis, while calcineurin inhibitors are often used for inflammatory skin conditions (like eczema) but do not address the dysplastic lesions associated with actinic keratosis. Thus, the use of 5-Fluorourac