TREATMENT OF SUPERFICIAL BASAL-CELL CARCINOMAS USING TOPICALLY APPLIED DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC-ACID AND A FILTERED XENON LAMP

Objective To evaluate the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinom as (SBCC) using photodynamic therapy with topically applied delta-amin olaevulinic acid (ALA) and a filtered short are xenon lamp as a light source. Method An oil-in-water emulsion containing 20% ALA was applied topically to the lesion sites which were then occluded for 3 h. Irrad iation was performed in a single session of 10 min using 125 or 166 mW /cm(2) in the wavelength range (620-670 nm, giving a radiation dose of 75 or 100 J/cm(2), respectively. Urine samples obtained in connection with the treatment were examined for traces of porphobilinogen and po rphyrin, The therapy outcome was determined by histological examinatio n of punch biopsies or by clinical verification. A follow-up scheduled for 5 years was initiated, Patients A group of 37 patients with histo logically verified SBCCs were included, A total of 190 SBCCs were trea ted, Also included were six patients with 10 nodular basal cell carcin omas and five patients with 18 Mb, Bowen, The urine samples from three patients showed traces of porphyrins. Results Of the 157 SBCCs follow ed-up for 6 months, 144 were cleared giving a clearance rate of 92%. O f the nodular basal cell carcinomas and Mb, Bowens, 2 of ten and 11 of 18 were cleared, respectively, Conclusion Photodynamic therapy is wel l suited to the treatment of SBCCs giving good cosmetic results regard less of lesion size, The filtered xenon lamp proved to be particularly suitable for photodynamic therapy.