title: Photodynamic therapy of head and neck basal cell carcinoma according to different clinicopathologic features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to treat different pathologic types of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) using photodynamic therapy (PDT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty lesions in six patients underwent PDT. The photosensitizer used was Photoheme, a hematoporphyrin derivative IX. It was injected intravenously at the dose of 2-3.25 mg/kg. After 24 hours, the lesions were illuminated by laser light (lambda = 632 nm, light exposure dose = 100-200 J/cm2). Lesions were evaluated pre and post-operatively and at follow-up sessions (of up to 6 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a single session of PDT, the average response rate in different histopathologic kinds of basal cell carcinoma (e.g., ulcerative, superficial, nodular, and pigmented forms) were 100%, 62%, 90%, and 14%, respectively. In patients who responded completely, the cosmetic results were excellent and there were no recurrence at 6th month of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although PDT seems to be an effective treatment modality for superficial, ulcerative, and nodular BCCs, it is not recommended for pigmented lesions.
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Iranian Center for Medical Laser Research, Tehran, Iran. akaviani@sina.tums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaviani
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ataie-Fashtami
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fateh
authors.forename: Nasim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sheikhbahaee
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghodsi
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zand
authors.forename: Gholamreza Esmaeeli
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Djavid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017324:Hematoporphyrin Derivative / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006414:Hematoporphyrin Photoradiation; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017324:Hematoporphyrin Derivative