Methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy after partial debulking in the treatment of superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma: 3-years follow-up

BACKGROUND

The increase in the number of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions has prompted use of minimally invasive therapies, including Photodynamic therapy (PDT). . The objective of the present work was to analyze the efficacy of methyl aminolevulinate-mediated photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) in patients suffering from superficial or nodular BCCs.

METHODS

A total of 220 BCC lesions (76 superficial and 144 nodular), clinically diagnosed and confirmed by histopathology analysis, were treated in 174 patients (mean age 72.5). Debulking using curettage was performed before two or three MAL-PDT sessions (λ = 630 nm; 90 J/cm²; 23 min) at 4-week intervals. Analyses of clinical clearance and cosmetic outcome were carried out by direct examination, dermoscopy, photographs, as well as by fluorescence diagnosis using a Wood's lamp. Evaluations were carried out at the different PDT sessions and follow-ups over a 3-year period.

RESULTS

MAL-PDT was safe and highly tolerated. After an average of 2.6 MAL-PDT sessions, the overall clearance rate at 3-year follow-up was 96.1 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 100 %-92 %) for superficial BCCs and 95.2 % (95 % [CI] 99 %-92 %) for nodular BCCs after an average of 2.7 sessions. Minimal side effects such as crushing, erythema and edema were reported. All BCC lesions showed excellent or good cosmetic results.

CONCLUSION

The protocol followed in the present study has shown that MAL-PDT is a safe and effective treatment for superficial and nodular types of BCC.

Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face Successfully Treated with Ingenol Mebutate 0.05% Gel: Case Report and a Review of the Literature

A 64 year-old Caucasian male patient with a long history of ultraviolet light exposure and multiple actinic keratoses presented with a large, erythematous, and scaly plaque on his forehead. Biopsies revealed superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). Because the patient wanted the shortest possible topical regimen, his sBCC was treated with two overnight ingenol mebutate (IM) 0.05% gel applications. He tolerated the local skin reaction (LSR) well, and at approximately six weeks post-treatment, biopsies showed no evidence of sBCC. The patient was happy with the cosmetic outcome and has remained free of clinical recurrence for 18 months. Although IM gel is only FDA approved for the treatment of actinic keratosis, it has also been used off-label to treat other epithelial lesions, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), anogenital warts, and Bowen's disease. One clinical trial, multiple case series and case reports, and now this report, have demonstrated IM's utility in treating BCC. IM treatment is therefore a promising alternative to surgery for select BCC, with major advantages, including a short treatment duration and generally favorable cosmetic outcome.

Differentiation of Different Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Types Using OCT

BACKGROUND

Early detection of various types of nonmelanoma skin cancer has been a challenge in dermatology. Noninvasive examination procedures such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) play an increasingly important role, besides the established gold standard of histological tissue sample analysis. OCT is a noninvasive, cross-sectional, real-time technique that allows conclusions to be drawn with regard to the presence of pathologies.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to distinguish between different types of nonmelanoma skin cancer using OCT or not.

METHODS

A study population of a total of 25 cases, comprising 5 cases, each, of 5 tumor entities (i.e., basal cell carcinoma, superficial basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and Bowen disease) was examined. Relevant lesions were scanned both centrally and peripherally in the multislice mode. All OCT images were blinded, randomized, analyzed, and evaluated by 2 clinicians experienced in OCT.

RESULTS

This study demonstrated that it is possible to determine correlations between various types of tumors and recurring tumor characteristics.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that it is possible to distinguish between the different nonmelanoma skin cancers by using OCT, but further prospective studies have to be conducted to validate the sensitivity and specificity of the criteria.

Is a single day patient friendly methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy illumination scheme for superficial basal cell carcinoma feasible? A randomized multicenter pilot trial

BACKGROUND

Topical methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) is highly effective for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). Current European treatment protocol requires two hospital visits, which is costly and unpractical. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fractionated MAL-PDT, using two light fractions at 3 and 4 h compared to illumination at 3 and 5 h after MAL-application.

METHODS

Thirty patients were randomized into two groups. The first group received illumination at 3 and 4 h (20 + 55 J/cm²) after MAL-application (3/4 group). In the other group, two light fractions were performed at 3 and 5 h (20 + 55 J/cm²) after MAL-application (3/5 group). The lesion response was evaluated at 3 and 12 months posttreatment.

RESULTS

In the 3/5 group, 70.0% showed a complete response (CR) at 3 months compared to 63.6% in the other group. At 12 months, 100% showed a CR in the 3/5 group compared to 80.0% in the other group. However, most failures/recurrences were eventually due to the presence of a more aggressive BCC subtype, mostly caused by sampling error of the primary punch biopsy.

CONCLUSION

Single day protocol for MAL-PDT for sBCC is feasible and this study shows promising results.

Large superficial Basal cell carcinoma arising in the scalp

Superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC), a rare sub-type of basal cell carcinoma, can frequently occur in younger patients. This cancer type preferentially develops on the trunk. However, other subtypes of BCC can occur in the head and neck, probably secondary to sunlight exposure. Especially, sBCC on the scalp has been rarely-reported, accounting for 0.7~0.8% of all sBCC cases. We report a case of 71-year-old female with a large sBCC of the scalp, an unusual site of sBCC.