Photodynamic therapy for nonmelanoma skin cancers. Current review and update.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality involving the use of a photosensitizing agent activated by light to destroy tumor cells. Over the past 25 years, PDT has been shown useful in the treatment of actinic keratoses and certain nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinoma. We review the current data available for PDT with systemic photofrin and topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). PDT offers many advantages including its non-invasiveness and its ability to treat multiple lesions simultaneously and is, therefore, an interesting alternative for treating certain skin malignancies.
Zeitouni
Nathalie C
NC
Department of Dermatology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA. nathalie.zeitouni@roswellpark.org
Oseroff
Allan R
AR
Shieh
Sherry
S
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether