Photodynamic therapy for large or multiple patches of Bowen disease and basal cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical delta-aminolevulinic acid (delta-ALA) is an effective treatment for Bowen disease and certain basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), but its place in clinical practice remains to be established. Patients with large and/or multiple lesions of Bowen disease or BCC can represent a considerable therapeutic challenge. We suggest that delta-ALA PDT may be of particular benefit in such patients.


METHODS
In an open study, 35 (88%) of 40 large patches of Bowen disease, all with a maximum diameter greater than 20 mm, cleared following 1 to 3 treatments of delta-ALA PDT, although 4 patches recurred within 12 months. delta-Aminolevulinic acid PDT was also used to treat 40 large BCCs, with an identical 88% initial clearance (after 1-3 treatments), with 4 recurrences within 34 months (range, 12-60 months). In 10 further patients with multiple (> or =3) patches of Bowen disease, 44 (98%) of 45 patches cleared following delta-ALA PDT, although 4 lesions recurred over 12 months. In 3 patients with multiple BCCs, PDT cleared 52 (90%) of 58 lesions, with 2 recurrences during 41 months (range, 12-52 months). Treatments were well tolerated, with only 5 patients with solitary large lesions requiring local anesthesia.


CONCLUSIONS
delta-Aminolevulinic acid PDT is an effective tissue-sparing modality achieving good cosmesis. We propose that delta-ALA PDT be considered as a first-line therapy for large and/or multiple areas of Bowen disease and superficial BCCs.
Morton
C A
CA
University Department of Dermatology, Western Infirmary, University of Glasgow, Scotland. colin.morton@fvah.scot.nhs.uk
Whitehurst
C
C
McColl
J H
JH
Moore
J V
JV
MacKie
R M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000188:drug therapy; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid