title: Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of extensive Bowen's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical excision is the preferred method of eradicating Bowen´s disease (BD). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been successfully used for treatment of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and BD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PDT for treatment of extensive BD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with 23 biopsy-proven BD lesions were treated with PDT. We defined as extensive those lesions large than 3 cm. Methyl aminolevulinate cream was applied for 3 h before illumination with an light emitting diode light source at a wavelength of 630 nm (energy density of 37 J/cm²). Treatment was repeated 1 week later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 12 weeks of treatment, 22 of 23 BD lesions (90%) showed complete clinical response. Only three lesions recurred after a follow-up period of 12 months. Cosmetic outcome at 12 months was good or excellent in 94% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methyl aminolevulinate PDT is an effective treatment option for extensive BD with excellent cosmesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, School of Medicine, Malaga, Spain. norbertoln@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Norberto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyer-Gonzalez
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herrera-Acosta
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herrera
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid