title: Clinical evaluation of photodynamic therapy efficacy in the treatment of oral leukoplakia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was clinical evaluation of photodynamic therapy efficacy in the treatment of oral leukoplakia lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three consecutive patients aged 21-79 were included to the study. In all patients 44 homogeneous, flat leukoplakia lesions were clinically diagnosed and confirmed histopathologically. Photodynamic therapy was performed with the use of Photolon(®) photosensitizer, containing 20% Chlorine-e6 and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and a semiconductor laser, with power up to 300mW and a wavelength of 660nm. Ten illumination sessions were conducted with the use of superficial light energy density of 90J/cm(2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline the mean size of leukoplakia lesion was 6.5±5.10cm(2) while after photodynamic therapy 3±2.99cm(2). Significant reduction (on average by 53.8%) of leukoplakia lesions sizes was observed after therapy. Twelve (27.27%) lesions had been completely cured, 22 (50%) partially cured, although 10 (22.73%) lasted unchanged. The efficacy of PTD was comparable in women and men irrespective of age. There have been no adverse site effects during therapy noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of the study it can be concluded that photodynamic therapy with the use of Chlorine-e6 can lead to considerable reduction of oral leukoplakia lesions size thus may be useful in clinical practice. However there is a need of further studies on larger number of cases and longer follow-up time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland; Dental Practice, ul. Waszyngtona 1/34, 15-269 Białystok, Poland. Electronic address: perio@umb.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietruska
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sobaniec
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bernaczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cholewa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Jan Krzysztof
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Pietruski
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dolińska
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland; Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skurska
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Duraj
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Grażyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tokajuk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002735:Chlorophyllides; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002735:Chlorophyllides; D011166:Porphyrins; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; C062985:phytochlorin; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide
keywords: Oral leukoplakia; Photodynamic therapy