Laser-mediated Photodynamic Therapy: An Alternative Treatment for Actinic Keratosis?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with light emitting diode (LED) illumination is a frequently used treatment modality for actinic keratosis (AK) with excellent cosmetic outcome. A major disadvantage, however, is the high pain score. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) illumination has been suggested, but the long-term efficacy of this treatment is unknown.

Development of a non-melanoma skin cancer detection model.

Background: The incidence and prevalence of skin cancer is rising. A detection model could support the (screening) process of diagnosing non-melanoma skin cancer.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed containing potential actinic keratosis (AK) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) characteristics.

Surgical excision versus Mohs' micrographic surgery for basal cell carcinoma of the face: A randomised clinical trial with 10 year follow-up.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of cancer among Caucasians and its incidence continues to rise. Surgical excision (SE) is considered standard treatment, though randomised trials with long-term follow-up are rare. We now report the long-term results of a randomised trial comparing surgical excision with Mohs' micrographic surgery (MMS) for facial BCC.

Facial reconstruction following Mohs micrographic surgery: a report of 622 cases.

Background: Around 100 to 200 patients undergo surgical reconstruction every year at our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery after Mohs micrographic surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Objective: The aim of this report is to provide an overview of the type of facial reconstructions performed and investigate whether we achieved increased, definitive closure rates of the defect on the day of the excision after further improving the collaboration between the involved departments.

Methods: All patients who underwent facial reconstruction at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery following Mohs micrographic surgery between January 2006 and January 2011 were retrospectively systematically reviewed.

Photodynamic therapy versus topical imiquimod versus topical fluorouracil for treatment of superficial basal-cell carcinoma: a single blind, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Superficial basal-cell carcinoma is most commonly treated with topical non-surgical treatments, such as photodynamic therapy or topical creams. Photodynamic therapy is considered the preferable treatment, although this has not been previously tested in a randomised control trial. We assessed the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy compared with imiquimod or fluorouracil in patients with superficial basal-cell carcinoma.

Management of post dermato- oncological defects: a case series and discussion of treatment options.

Managing poorly healing wounds and large defects of the scalp after treatment of skin cancer in elderly men is a common and challenging problem. The increasing incidence of scalp pathology, and the often concomitant morbidity in these patients, often restricts invasive treatment options. Subsequently, this requires the dermatologist to look at alternative treatment options.

Need for a new skin cancer management strategy.

The worldwide incidence of skin cancer (especially nonmelanoma skin cancer) has increased markedly during the last decades. Skin cancer should be considered a chronic disease. To manage the future costs and quality of care for patients with skin cancer, a revised health strategy is needed.

Treatment of actinic keratoses on the dorsum of the hands: ALA-PDT versus diclofenac 3% gel followed by ALA-PDT. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, pilot study.

Background: Actinic keratoses (AK) are sun-induced epithelial skin lesions, which are at risk to progress to squamous cell carcinoma. One of the treatments of AK is photodynamic therapy (PDT), which often has to be repeated. Another treatment for these lesions is diclofenac 3% gel.

Surgical excision versus Mohs' micrographic surgery for primary and recurrent basal-cell carcinoma of the face: a prospective randomised controlled trial with 5-years' follow-up.

Background: Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and its incidence is still rising worldwide. Surgery is the most frequently used treatment for BCC, but large randomised controlled trials with 5-year follow-up to compare treatment modalities are rare. We did a prospective randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of surgical excision with Mohs' micrographic surgery (MMS) for the treatment of primary and recurrent facial BCC.

A clinical comparison and long-term follow-up of topical 5-fluorouracil versus laser resurfacing in the treatment of widespread actinic keratoses.

Background And Objectives: Many treatment modalities exist for actinic keratoses (AK). Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been one of the standard treatments. Laser resurfacing is a more recent treatment option.

Determinants of satisfaction with the health state of the facial skin in patients undergoing surgery for facial basal cell carcinoma.

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess which health beliefs predict and explain satisfaction with the facial health state of patients undergoing surgery for basal cell carcinoma.

Methods: Data were collected by administering a newly developed questionnaire pre-operatively and 6 months post-operatively (n = 222).

Results: Results show that satisfaction as measured by post-operative worrying, susceptibility and fear of developing a new BCC at other facial sites can be predicted by pre-operative health beliefs.

Recurrence rates and long-term follow-up after laser resurfacing as a treatment for widespread actinic keratoses on the face and scalp.

Background: Diffuse widespread actinic keratoses are difficult to treat, have a tendency toward higher recurrence rates, and therefore require ablative treatment. Laser resurfacing is one of the treatment modalities that can treat whole surface areas.

Objective: To evaluate patients who underwent laser resurfacing for widespread actinic keratoses with long-term follow-up for recurrence rates, time until new lesions occur, and the most common side effects.

Surgical excision vs Mohs' micrographic surgery for basal-cell carcinoma of the face: randomised controlled trial.

Background: Rates of recurrence of facial basal-cell carcinoma are consistently lower after Mohs' micrographic surgery (MMS) than after other treatments, such as surgical excision (SE). However, MMS is more time-consuming and therefore more expensive than SE. We investigated the types of facial basal-cell carcinomas in which MMS was more effective than SE.

Skin waste, vertex angle, and scar length in excisional biopsies: comparing five excision patterns--fusiform ellipse, fusiform circle, rhomboid, mosque, and S-shaped.

The common excision skin pattern is either a fusiform ellipse or another pattern with dissimilar length and width. The purpose of this study was to define the most advantageous skin pattern regarding skin waste, vertex angle, and scar length. Five skin excision patterns used traditionally for closure of round lesions were analyzed: fusiform ellipse, fusiform circle, rhomboid, mosque, and S-shaped.

Delayed wound healing after three different treatments for widespread actinic keratosis on the atrophic bald scalp.

Background: Actinic keratosis is an exceedingly common premalignant lesion that can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. There is an increasing prevalence of actinic keratosis with increasing age. Numerous treatment options are available for the treatment of actinic keratosis on the scalp.

Adjuvant cytokeratin staining in Mohs micrographic surgery for basal cell carcinoma.

Background: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a technique that offers excellent cure rates in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). One of the reasons for its success is the 100% visualization of the resection margins. Still, recurrences do occur in 2% to 5% of the treated BCCs.