Large patches of Bowen's disease treated by topical aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy.

Abstract

Large patches of Bowen's disease (intraepidermal carcinoma in situ) can be difficult to treat by conventional methods. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses the combination of a photosensitizer, which preferentially accumulates in malignant cells, and photoactivation by visible light to kill the malignant cells. 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) PDT uses excess exogenous ALA, which produces, via the haem synthesis pathway, a build up of the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX. We describe the use of topical ALA PDT to treat three patients with three especially large patches of Bowen's disease. Following two treatments all three lesions achieved a complete clinical and histological response with a good cosmetic result. ALA PDT is a simple, effective and well tolerated treatment for large patches of Bowen's disease.

• Authors: G I Stables, M R Stringer, D J Robinson, D V Ash
• Journal: The British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol) Vol. 136 Issue 6 Pg. 957-60 (Jun 1997) ISSN: 0007-0963 [Print] England
• PMID: 9217836 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Aminolevulinic Acid

Topics

• Aged
• Aminolevulinic Acid (therapeutic use)
• Bowen's Disease (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Photochemotherapy
• Skin Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Thigh