Usefulness of Photodynamic Therapy as a Possible Therapeutic Alternative in the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Paola Savoia²  Tommaso Deboli²  Alberto Previgliano²  Paolo Broganelli¹ 

[1] Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin 10126, Italy; E-Mail:;Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino 10126, Italy; E-Mails:

关键词: photodynamic therapy;    PDT;    basal cell carcinoma treatment;    non-melanoma skin cancer;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms161023300

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in individuals with fair skin type (I–II) and steadily increasing in incidence (70% of skin malignancy). It is locally invasive but metastasis is usually very rare, with an estimated incidence of 0.0028%–0.55%. Conventional therapy is surgery, especially for the H region of the face and infiltrative lesions; in case of inoperable tumors, radiotherapy is a valid option. Recently, topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become an effective treatment in the management of superficial and small nodular BCC. PDT is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the administration of a photo-sensibilizing agent followed by irradiation at a pre-defined wavelength; this determines the creation of reactive oxygen species that specifically destroy target cells. The only major side effect is pain, reported by some patients during the irradiation. The high cure rate and excellent cosmetic outcome requires considering this possibility for the management of patients with both sporadic and hereditary BCC. In this article, an extensive review of the recent literature was made, in order to clarify the role of PDT as a possible alternative therapeutic option in the treatment of BCC.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.