Management of Oral Leukoplakia with Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Premalignant lesions like Oral Lichen Planus (OLP), Oral Leukoplakia (OL) has a fair probability of transforming into malignancy and they are perverse toward conventional therapies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been considered as an alternative/ complimentary therapeutic modality for the management of premalignant lesions. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive method for the treatment of premalignant lesions and head and neck. The principle of PDT is a nonthermal photochemical reaction, which requires the simultaneous presence of a photosensitising drug (photosensitiser), oxygen, and visible light. After a period to allow the photosensitiser to collect in the target tissue, the photosensitiser is activated by exposure to low-power visible light of a drug-specific wavelength. PDT is a cold photochemical reaction, and the photosensitising agents are of inherently low systemic toxicity. This article describes the role of non-surgical management of Oral Leukoplakia with use of Photodynamic Therapy. Keywords: Oral Leukoplakia, PDT, ALA, Monochromatic red light, Mucosa