Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of 18 cases of skin tumors

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of skin tumors unsuitable for surgery. Methods Totally, 8 cases of actinic keratosis (AK) , 6 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) , 3 cases of Bowen's disease, and 1 case of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) were treated with aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy. Aminolevulinic acid 20% solution was prepared, and applied to skin lesions. After 4-6 hours, the lesions were irradiated with red light at an energy density of 80 to 100 J/cm2 for 20 minutes. Totally, 3 to 6 sessions of photodynamic therapy were given at a frequency of once a week. The therapeutic effect was evaluated at the end of the course of treatment. Results Eight patients with AK, 4 SCC and 3 Bowen's disease achieved complete remission, and another 2 patients with SCC and 1 BCC achieved partial remission. No recurrence was observed in any of the 18 patients at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after the end of treatment. Conclusion Aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy is a kind of non-invasive approach to the treatment of skin tumors unsuitable for surgery with no risk of obvious scar formation. Key words: Skin neoplasms; Photochemotherapy; Treatment outcome; Aminolevulinic acid; Surgical procedures, elective