Photodynamic therapy utilising topical δ-aminolevulinic acid in non-melanoma skin malignancies of the eyelid and the periocular skin

Purpose: Photodynamic therapy utilising delta-aminoleuvlinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX photosensitisation, was evaluated as a treatment modality for nonmelanoma skin malignancies of the eyelids and the periocular skin, Methods: Photodynamic therapy with laser light at 635 nm was performed in 13 patients with 19 basal cell carcinomas and one patient with 3 cutaneous T-cell lymphoma lesions. A topical application regimen was used and in median 3 treatment sessions were given to each lesion. Results: A visually judged complete response was achieved in 42 % (8/19) of the basal cell carcinomas and in 100% of the T-cell lymphoma lesions (3/3), Partial tumour response was seen in 42% (8/19) and no response in 16% (3/19) of the basal cell carcinomas. The median follow-up time was 12 months. No, or very little scarring and loss of cilia were induced by the treatment. Conclusion: Photodynamic therapy with delta-aminolevulinic acid can eradicate eye-close non-melanoma skin malignancies without compromising the function of the eyelids. Further development of the method is needed to reach the same cure rates as those of the conventional treatment modalities.