title: Unilateral Basal cell carcinomas: an unusual entity treated with photodynamic therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unilateral localized basal cell carcinomas are an uncommon finding that presents both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Exclusion of unilateral nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is indicated. There are few reports in the literature regarding this entity and even less regarding therapeutic strategies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We present a patient with unilateral localized basal cell carcinomas who was successfully treated with photodynamic therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Photodynamic therapy was started using Levulan) Kerastick) as previously described. The topical solution was applied to the patient's back and illuminated the following day via the BLU-U Blue Light Illuminator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient tolerated the procedure well and without complications. The patient had an excellent therapeutic response with no clinically apparent basal cell carcinomas for 18 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report a patient with unilateral basal cell carcinomas successfully treated with photodynamic therapy. This uncommon entity represents a diagnostic challenge in its inherent absence of the classic clinical and radiographic findings of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Like nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, unilateral basal cell carcinomas poses a therapeutic challenge with the sheer number of cutaneous tumors. The use of photodynamic therapy carries a proven therapeutic efficacy, a low rate of adverse events and excellent cosmesis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, The Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA. joshua.lane@lycos.com
authors.forename: Joshua E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Jennifer H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Tanda N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Jack L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lesher
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001478:Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid