Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of actinic cheilitis

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2007 Oct;23(5):209-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2007.00299.x.

Abstract

Although actinic cheilitis is a common disease, it should be treated carefully because it can undergo malignant transformation. We report a case of actinic cheilitis treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), with satisfactory outcome in both clinical and pathological aspects. Actinic cheilitis is a pathologic condition affecting mainly the lower lip caused by long-term exposure of the lips to the UV radiation in sunlight. Analogous to actinic keratosis of the skin, actinic cheilitis is considered as a precancerous lesion and it may develop into squamous cell carcinoma. We report a case of actinic cheilitis treated with PDT using ALA, with satisfactory outcome in both clinical and pathological aspects.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aminolevulinic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Cheilitis / drug therapy*
  • Cheilitis / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Sunlight / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Aminolevulinic Acid