Erbium:YAG laser pretreatment accelerates the response of Bowen's disease treated by topical 5-fluorouracil.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a standard treatment for Bowen's disease. However, its efficacy may be limited by the presence of stratum corneum. The Er:YAG laser has shown a dramatic enhancement effect on the delivery of 5-FU in vitro by ablation of the stratum corneum. The efficacy of laser-assisted delivery of 5-FU has not been tested in human.

OBJECTIVE:

To see whether Er:YAG laser pretreatment can improve the efficacy of topical 5-FU in the treatment of Bowen's disease.

METHODS:

Three target lesions from a patient with multiple Bowen's disease were selected for a half-side comparison study. The Er:YAG laser was used to remove the cornified layer on one side of each lesion, followed by twice-daily application of 5-FU cream to both sides. Clinical and histologic responses were compared.

RESULTS:

Lesions pretreated with the Er:YAG laser showed more rapid clinical and histologic responses to topical 5-FU than those treated with 5-FU alone. Evaluation at 9 months after treatment showed no recurrences of lesions on both sides.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our preliminary study demonstrates that this Er:YAG laser-assisted modality is effective and shows accelerated clinical response and shortened treatment time compared with topical 5-FU as a single treatment.

• Authors: Kuo-Hsien Wang, Jia-You Fang, Chung-Hong Hu, Woan-Ruoh Lee
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 30 Issue 3 Pg. 441-5 (Mar 2004) ISSN: 1076-0512 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15008880 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (administration & dosage)
• Bowen's Disease (drug therapy, radiotherapy)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Laser Therapy
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Skin Neoplasms (drug therapy, radiotherapy)