title: Photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses.
abstract: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are one of the most common conditions that are treated by dermatologists and they have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a novel and versatile method of treating those lesions. Topical preparations of aminolevulinic acid and methyl aminolevulinate are commercially available photosensitizers, and numerous light sources may be used for photoactivation. This article focuses on practical aspects of PDT in the treatment of AKs, outcomes of relevant clinical trials, and special applications of PDT in transplant recipients and other who are predisposed to AK formation. Step-by-step descriptions of PDT sessions are presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, University of Alberta, 2-125 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada.
authors.forename: Michal S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kalisiak
authors.forename: Jaggi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid