title: Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for the treatment of unilesional mycosis fungoides: a report of two cases and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unilesional mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), characterized clinically by a solitary lesion and by histopathological features indistinguishable from multilesional MF. The photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new and effective treatment of precancerous lesions and non-melanoma skin cancers. In recent years it has been used successfully for the treatment of MF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present two cases of unilesional MF treated with 5-Aminolevulinic acid-PDT (ALA-PDT). We used twenty per cent ALA, applied topically to the lesion, and a well defined laser irradiation at 585 nm wavelength from C-Beam laser. Treatment was repeated three times at monthly intervals. Skin biopsies were taken before and after therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients showed clinical remission. The biopsies confirmed a regression of the infiltrate after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDT is effective and can be used successfully for MF treatment, particularly for patch and plaque stage MF, including unilesional MF.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Alcala de Henares University, Guadalajara, Spain. ediez@sescam.jccm.es
authors: Esther Díez
authors: ED
authors: Recio
authors: Belen
authors: B
authors: Zambrano
authors: Maria Luisa
authors: ML
authors: Alonso
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: de Eusebio
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Martín
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Cuevas
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Jaén
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid