Fluorescence Diagnosis of Face-Located Basal Cell Carcinomas: a New Dermatological Procedure which May Help the Surgeon

Abstract

Cutaneous Fluorescence Diagnosis (FD) is a new promising dermatological procedure which is based on the combination of a local application of a photosensitizer such as 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or its methyl ester (MAL) and the use of a light source (red light) adapted to the absorption spectrum of these molecules. The targeted photosen-sitization of skin cancers, particularily superficial and extensive lesions including superficial basal cell carcinoma and Bowen’s disease, by ALA or MAL induced porphyrins leads to a selective red fluorescence which can be demonstrated by Wood’s lamp. This technique may be useful either to define better the choice of margins or to detect earlier and or multifocal recurrences.

Key Words:

• Fluorescence diagnosis
• photodynamic therapy
• skin cancer
• basal cell carcinoma
• 5-aminolevulinic acid

Additional information

Notes on contributors

P. Vereecken

Dr. P. Vereecken 17 avenue Nellie Melba B-1070 Brussels (Belgium) E-mail: [email protected]