The Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Actinic Cheilitis of the Lower Lip: A Prospective Study of 15 Patients

BACKGROUND Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been developed into a widely used method to treat actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinoma. OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the efficacy of PDT in the treatment of actinic cheilitis of the lower lip. METHODS In this prospective, uncontrolled study at a university dermatology department, 15 patients with actinic cheilitis received two sessions of PDT of the lower lip at an interval of 1 week using methylaminoxopentanoate and red light. Clinical and histopathologic evaluation was performed 3 months after therapy. RESULTS Complete clinical cure was observed in 47% (7/15) and partial cure in another 47% (7/15) of the patients. By histopathologic analysis, residual disease was found in 62% (8/13). Cosmetic results and patients' satisfaction were good to excellent in most cases. Local pain was sufficiently controlled by local anesthesia. CONCLUSION PDT can be an effective noninvasive method to treat actinic cheilitis of the lower lip.