PHOTODYNAMIC DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY OF FAC IAL NEOPLASMS AFTER TOPICALAPPLICATION OF 5-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID

Topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a useful instr ument for photodynamic diagnosis and therapy of skin tumours. Diagnost ic fluorescence imaging after laser light irradiation (410 nm) reveale d a high, tumour-specific fluorescence even in tumour areas not appare nt prior to this examination technique. This demonstrates the possibil ity of photodynamic diagnosis to detect skin tumours. In the therapeut ic group 8 patients with 6 solar keratoses and 12 basal cell carcinoma s underwent laser light irradiation using a wavelength of 635 nm (dosa ge 100 J/cm(2)) 6 hours after topical application of 5-ALA in W/O emul sion. 2-12 hours after laser application we observed reddened tumour t issue with mild oedema, subsequently followed by a crust and epithelis ed within 4-6 weeks. 2 months after PDT a complete response was observ ed for all solar keratoses and for 10 of 12 basal cell carcinomas. Pho todynamic therapy following topical application of 5-ALA may be an alt ernative treatment modality for skin tumours.