How we treat a superficial basal cell carcinoma with topical photodynamic therapy in Dundee

Summary 

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a highly effective treatment for superficial basal cell carcinoma (SBCC) (Morton CA, Brown SB, Collins S, et al. Guidelines for topical photodynamic therapy: report of a workshop of the British Photodermatology Group. Br J Dermatol 2004;146:552–67). Treatment is well tolerated, performed on an outpatient basis and can be repeated, and excellent outcomes and cosmetic results can be achieved. We have experience of over 3000 topical PDT treatments for superficial non-melanoma skin cancer and dysplasia in the Photobiology Unit in Dundee and I will present our own experience of how to treat an SBCC with topical PDT in this article (Ibbotson SH, Moseley H, Brancaleon L, et al. Photodynamic therapy in dermatology: Dundee clinical and research experience. Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 2004;1:211–23).

Keywords: Photodynamic therapy, Superficial basal cell carcinoma, 5-aminolaveluvinic acid (ALA), Methyl ester ALA (ALA)