title: Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the administration of a photosensitizing drug and its subsequent activation by light at wavelengths matching the absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer. Because the skin is readily accessible to light-based therapies, PDT with systemic and particularly with topical agents has become important in treating cutaneous disorders. Topical PDT is indicated for treating actinic keratosis, superficial or thin non-melanoma skin cancer, including some cases of nodular basal cell carcinoma, and some cutaneous lymphomas. Advantages of aminolevulinic acid/methyl aminolevulinate PDT include the possibility of simultaneous treatment of multiple tumors and large surface areas, good cosmesis, and minimal morbidity, such as bleeding, scarring, or infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA.
authors.forename: Sari M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Fien
authors.forename: Allan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Oseroff
mesh_terms: D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008027:Light; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents