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Role of lasers and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cutaneous malignancy.

Abstract
Tumor therapy is not a common indication for the use of lasers, as it is in the treatment of benign vascular skin lesions, since many alternative treatment modalities exist. However, certain patients may benefit from laser therapy of premalignant and malignant skin tumors. Skin tumors can be treated by laser excision, laser coagulation, laser vaporization, or photodynamic therapy (PDT). For these purposes, the carbon dioxide laser, the neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser and the argon laser are particularly suitable. PDT is a therapeutic approach based on the photosensitization of the target tissue by topical or systemic photosensitizers and subsequent irradiation with light from a laser or a lamp inducing cell death via generation of reactive oxygen species. Laser therapy and PDT have shown good results in the curative treatment of actinic keratoses, superficial basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease and cheilitis actinica. However, they are not recommended for primary malignant melanoma and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. In some patients, lasers and PDT might also be used effectively for the palliative treatment of cutaneous metastases. In selected patients, lasers and PDT may offer some advantages over routine procedures, e.g. reduction of scarring and better cosmetic results. However, when treating invasive tumors with curative intention, one has to bear in mind the lack of histologic control and the limited depth of tissue penetration of most laser and PDT therapies.
AuthorsS Karrer, R M Szeimies, U Hohenleutner, M Landthaler
JournalAmerican journal of clinical dermatology (Am J Clin Dermatol) Vol. 2 Issue 4 Pg. 229-37 ( 2001) ISSN: 1175-0561 [Print] New Zealand
PMID11705250 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Review)
Chemical References
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Aminolevulinic Acid
Topics
  • Aged
  • Aminolevulinic Acid (therapeutic use)
  • Bowen's Disease (drug therapy, surgery)
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell (drug therapy, surgery)
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (drug therapy, surgery)
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle (drug therapy, surgery)
  • Laser Coagulation
  • Laser Therapy
  • Leukoplakia, Oral (drug therapy, surgery)
  • Male
  • Melanoma (drug therapy, surgery)
  • Middle Aged
  • Palliative Care
  • Photochemotherapy
  • Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
  • Precancerous Conditions (drug therapy, surgery, therapy)
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi (drug therapy, surgery)
  • Skin Neoplasms (drug therapy, secondary, surgery, therapy)
  • Time Factors

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