Long-term follow-up results of a pilot study for nodular basal cell carcinoma with PDT using partial home treatment protocol

Evaluate a photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocol with less time at the hospital and less painful for low-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment. Eight BCCs were selected, debulked, and received 20% methyl aminolevulinate cream. After 3h, the first irradiation was performed at the hospital (20min, 150J/cm2). Then, the cream was re-applied, a portable irradiation prototype was fixed into the lesion. After 1.5h, the patients turned on the prototype for irradiation (2h, 312J/cm2) at home. Disease-free survival rate and pain score during irradiations were evaluated. The clearance at 30 days after PDT was 87.5% by histological analysis. The mean follow-up was 21.5 months and the recurrence-free survival at 22 months was 75%. The pain score was significantly lower at home. A less painful and more comfortable PDT treatment protocol was proved long-term efficient. A randomized clinical trial has been conducted to confirm these results.