Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy for basal cell carcinoma

Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy is an established approach for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. This study with 5- aminolevulinic acid drug Levulon was conducted in patients with superficial skin basal cell carcinoma. The study included 82 patients with overall number of tumor foci of 119. Tumor sites were as follows: head and neck, trunk, extremities.A total of two photodynamic therapy sessions, four weeks apart were performed using a laser with a wavelength of 630 nm and energy density of 350 J/cm2. A complete response was recorded in 77 patients (114 foci) with an excellent cosmetic result. According to the analysis of survival in the group of patients with a complete response, the overall RFS was as follows: 1-year rate – 92.1 %, 3-year – 88.3 %. Photodynamic therapy with topical Levulon in patients with superficial BCC of the skin was effective and safe. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.