
pmid: 14997383
The benefit for organ recipients is still counteracted by the side effects of immunosuppression. Among other effects, there is a 50-250 times increased risk of developing malignant skin tumours. Because these malignomas are known to develop particularly aggressivly, there is a special need for an efficient therapy. Here we demonstrate the treatment response to aminolaevulinic acid (ALA)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) in these patients.Five organ recipients with multiple tumours of the face were multifocally treated with ALA-PDT (32 tumours in all). After topical application of ALA using a thermogel, irradiation was done with a 635 nm diode laser (Ceralas 635, Biolitec, Jena, Germany). After intervals of 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks, therapeutic efficacy was assessed.There was complete remission in 24 tumours (75%). In six tumours (18.8%) a second or third PDT session was necessary for complete clinical remission. In two tumours (5.6%, invasive squamous cell carcinomas) the lesions were refractory to PDT.ALA-PDT is a valuable therapeutic alternative for the treatment of multifocal skin tumours in organ-transplanted patients. Furthermore, we see a growing role of ALA-PDT also for patients with frequently relapsing tumours of the skin with known genetically determined tumourigenesis (Gorlin-Goltz syndrome).
Adult, Aged, 80 and over, Photosensitizing Agents, Skin Neoplasms, Adolescent, Remission Induction, Transplants, Aminolevulinic Acid, Keratosis, Middle Aged, Photochemotherapy, Humans, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial, Facial Neoplasms, Aged
Adult, Aged, 80 and over, Photosensitizing Agents, Skin Neoplasms, Adolescent, Remission Induction, Transplants, Aminolevulinic Acid, Keratosis, Middle Aged, Photochemotherapy, Humans, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial, Facial Neoplasms, Aged
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