Photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride for actinic keratosis and non-melanocytic cutaneous neoplasia

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy uses photochemical substances that selectively impregnate abnormal tissue and act as a sensitizing agent for the light.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical response, aesthetic results and side effects of applying photodynamic therapy using the photosensitizer methyl-aminolevulinate hydrochloride in actinic keratosis lesions, basal cell carcinomas, and Bowen’s disease.
Methods: After removing scales or crusts and impregnating the lesion with methylaminolevulinate hydrochloride, 632 nm (37 j/cm2) red light radiation was applied, at a distance of 5 to 8 cm from the skin, for 8 minutes.
Results: 102 patients (59 with actinic keratosis, 32 with basal cell carcinoma, and 11 with Bowen’s disease) were studied.After 12 weeks, only 14 patients (6 actinic keratosis, 6 basal cell carcinoma, and 2 Bowen’s disease) had incomplete results. The treatment yielded excellent aesthetic results.The main complications were 1 case of severe erythema and 1 case of important pustules and edema.
Conclusions: Consistent with the literature, this study confirms the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with methyl-aminolevulinate hydrochloride in the treatment of actinic keratosis lesions and non-melanocytic cutaneous neoplasias, with similar recurrence rates and better aesthetic results than conventional therapies.