title: Treatment of giant Bowen's disease with sequential use of photodynamic therapy and imiquimod cream.
abstract: We present a 79-year-old man with a 2-year history of Bowen's disease. The 10 × 10 plaque was located on the right frontotemporal area. The patient was treated with two photodynamic therapy (PDT) sessions, performed 1 week apart, followed by five times per week application of imiquimod 5% cream for 6 consecutive weeks. Complete clinical and histological response was achieved 3 months after treatment was completed. The patient remains recurrence free 12 months after treatment. Cosmetic outcome was evaluated as fair because of residual erythema. Long-term follow-up is mandatory for assessment of recurrences. Further studies are needed in order to confirm the improved outcome using the combination of PDT and imiquimod cream.
authors.affiliation: First Dermatologic Department, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. elenasotiriou@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sotiriou
authors.forename: Aimilios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lallas
authors.forename: Zoi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Apalla
authors.forename: Demetris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ioannides
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod