title: Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of actinic keratosis.
abstract: The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinate and methyl aminolevulinate in the treatment of actinic keratosis has been demonstrated in a large number of clinical studies over the last several years. Here, we recapitulate the major findings, comparing the various photosensitizers, light sources and therapeutic regimens, and present a retrospective analysis of 142 own cases treated with 259 PDTs. In addition, we also discuss the value of PDT in comparison with cryotherapy or 5-fluorouracil. The efficacy and the low risk of side effects of PDT have resulted in a high patient preference in clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stritt
authors.forename: Hans Friedrich
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Merk
authors.forename: Lasse Roger
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Braathen
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: von Felbert
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders