ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of 5-aminolaevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) on precancerous changes and carcinoma of the skin in situ. Methods Fifteen patients with actinic keratosis, 3 patients with erythroplasia of Queyrat and 8 patients with Bowen′s disease were given topical ALA followed by PDT. Results The clearance was achieved in 17 lesions of 15 patients with actinic keratosis, 2 patients with erythroplasia of Queyrat and 7 patients with Bowen′s disease by topical ALA-PDT. The recurrence rates were 13.33%, 0 and 14.28% for actinic keratosis, erythroplasia of Queyrat and Bowen′s disease, respectively. Conclusions Topical ALA-PDT is a simple, effective and new treatment with lower recurrent rates, no scar formation and excellent cosmetic results for precancerous changes and carcinoma in situ of the skin, especially for the large and multifocal lesions located on the face and external genitalia.