Photodynamic therapy for nodular basal cell carcinoma up to 5 mm located on high-risk area: effectiveness and long-term follow-up results

Response rates evaluation of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment located on high-risk and low-risk areas of the face. Two groups of nodular BCC were selected, debulked, and received 20% methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) hydrochloride cream. After 3 hours, the first irradiation was performed (20 min, 150 J/cm ). Then, the cream was re-applied, and a second irradiation was performed after 1.5 hours (20 min, 150 J/cm ). Clearance at 30 days and recurrence-free survival rate were evaluated. The clearance at 30 days after PDT was 89% for the low-risk area group and 87% for the high-risk group. The recurrence-free survival at 60 months was 82% and 85% for the high-risk and low-risk groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed between groups nor for clearance at 30 days, nor recurrence-free follow-up. These results make the PDT an option for nodular BCC less than 5 mm located in high-risk areas.