Photodynamic therapy utilising topical delta-aminolevulinic acid in non-melanoma skin malignancies of the eyelid and the periocular skin

Purpose: Photodynamic therapy utilising delta-aminoleuvlinic acid-induced p rotoporphyrin IX photosensitisation, was evaluated as a treatment modality for nonmelanoma skin malignancies of the eyelids and the periocular skin, Methods: Photodynamic therapy with laser light at 635 nm was performed in 1 3 patients with 19 basal cell carcinomas and one patient with 3 cutaneous T -cell lymphoma lesions. A topical application regimen was used and in media n 3 treatment sessions were given to each lesion. Results: A visually judged complete response was achieved in 42 % (8/19) of the basal cell carcinomas and in 100% of the T-cell lymphoma lesions (3/3) , Partial tumour response was seen in 42% (8/19) and no response in 16% (3/ 19) of the basal cell carcinomas. The median follow-up time was 12 months. No, or very little scarring and loss of cilia were induced by the treatment . Conclusion: Photodynamic therapy with delta-aminolevulinic acid can eradica te eye-close non-melanoma skin malignancies without compromising the functi on of the eyelids. Further development of the method is needed to reach the same cure rates as those of the conventional treatment modalities.