PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) against Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) in Asians

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is less common in the Asian population
• Pigmented variants are more common which suggests that PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) is not the most recommendable treatment for this population group
• The study concerned 45 patients with 95 lesions and included only those with phototypes IV and V:
  • clearance rate at 4 months was 75.8%
  • the most responsive types of BCC were superficial
  • thickness of the cancer: if less that 1.3mm all responded
  • No response was achieved if the lesions were more than 1.8mm thick.
• Note: all treatments carry a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Reminder: PDT is NOT Not recommended for Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Contributeurs

Dr Christophe Hsu – dermatologue. Genève, Suisse.
Source of Information: Theng C. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in Asians. Photodermatosis and Ethnicity in Asian Skin. 2014 (4) – 21st Regional Conference of Dermatology; Danang (Vietnam)