Perry Robins

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has significant promise in improving outcomes of patients with a variety of cutaneous conditions. A group of experts met to review the principles, indications, and clinical benefits of PDT with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). They also reviewed PDT with methyl aminolevulinate. The experts established consensus statements for pretreatment, posttreatment, ALA contact time, light sources, and numbers of sessions associated with ALA PDT for actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma, photorejuvenation and cosmetic enhancement, acne, sebaceous skin, rosacea, and rhinophyma. They based consensus recommendations on their clinical experience and the medical literature. They also suggested future applications of ALA PDT. Experts concluded that ALA PDT is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of conditions commonly encountered in dermatology. Since downtime is minimal, the technique is suitable for patients of all ages and lifestyles. Appropriate light sources are available in many dermatology offices. The expanding clinical and financial benefits of PDT justify the purchase of an appropriate light source.

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a relatively rare cutaneous malignancy with the potential for significant local destruction and morbidity. This neoplasm has a tendency for recurrence following excision due to its infiltrative nature. Surgical excision with wide margins has been considered the standard therapy for DFSP but has had reported recurrence rates of up to 60%. OBJECTIVE: The results of 20 patients with DFSP treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) are reported. We also reviewed the world literature on the role of MMS for treatment of this tumor. METHODS: Twenty patients between the ages of 20 and 82 years with DFSP were treated with MMS. The patients were followed for recurrences between 4 and 216 months (mean 56.4 months). RESULTS: None of the 20 patients had a recurrence of DFSP following MMS. Of 221 DFSP patients in our review of the world literature treated with MMS, only 5 (2.3%) had a recurrence. CONCLUSION: MMS is an effective treatment of DFSP.