The UV pass: a tool for quality control, therapy planning and risk estimation in dermatologic photo- and photochemotherapy

Ultraviolet (UV-) radiation therapy as a mono- or combination therapy (UV-A , UV-A1, UV-B, SUP, UV-B311) or as photochemotherapy with photosensitizatio n (systemic PUVA-, bath PUVA-,topical PUVA-therapy) are successfully used f or the treatment of several dermatological disorders. Long-term side effect s of natural UV (sun light) include photoaging and induction of skin tumors . At present, the relevance of in-vitro findings of potential tumor inducti on in animals through therapeutic levels of UV radiation is a matter of deb ate. To assess these risks, information on treated location, kind of UV rad iation and cumulative UV doses are required. Practically this information i s barely accessible. This makes decisions on possible therapies difficult. To solve this problem we propose to use an "UV pass". At the end of each UV radiation cycle, the body location, the type of radiation and the cumulati ve dose are documented and this pass is given to the patient. This will imp rove the information transfer if the doctor is changed, as well as facilita ting decisions about certain therapies and calculation of long-term risks o f UV radiation. Finally it will improve the quality of UV photo- and photoc hemotherapy.