[Photodynamic therapy of cutaneous epithelial malignancies. An evidence-based review].
During the last years photodynamic therapy (PDT) has progressively established itself as a standard treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer. A number of clinical studies have demonstrated its efficacy--also compared to other treatment modalities--as well as good acceptance by patients and outstanding cosmetic results. For Bowen disease and superficial basal cell carcinoma, PDT can be regarded as the first-line non-invasive treatment. In the treatment of actinic keratoses PDT should be considered when cosmesis is crucial or in cases of field cancerization. In nodular basal cell carcinoma, effectiveness for lesions up to a thickness of 2 mm is well documented. In summary the evidence level seems sufficient to regard PDT as valuable treatment modality of which patients should not be deprived.
Sidoroff
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Univ.-Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. alexis.sidoroff@i-med.ac.at
D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017679:Cryotherapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors