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Unilateral Basal Cell Carcinomas: An Unusual Entity Treated with Photodynamic Therapy

  • Published:
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background

Unilateral localized basal cell carcinomas are an uncommon finding that presents both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Exclusion of unilateral nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is indicated. There are few reports in the literature regarding this entity and even less regarding therapeutic strategies.

Objective

We present a patient with unilateral localized basal cell carcinomas who was successfully treated with photodynamic therapy.

Methods

Photodynamic therapy was started using Levulan® Kerastick® as previously described. The topical solution was applied to the patient’s back and illuminated the following day via the BLU-U Blue Light Illuminator.

Results

The patient tolerated the procedure well and without complications. The patient had an excellent therapeutic response with no clinically apparent basal cell carcinomas for 18 months.

Conclusions

We report a patient with unilateral basal cell carcinomas successfully treated with photodynamic therapy. This uncommon entity represents a diagnostic challenge in its inherent absence of the classic clinical and radiographic findings of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Like nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, unilateral basal cell carcinomas poses a therapeutic challenge with the sheer number of cutaneous tumors. The use of photodynamic therapy carries a proven therapeutic efficacy, a low rate of adverse events and excellent cosmesis.

Sommaire

Antécédents

Le carcinome basocellulaire métastatique unilatéral localisé est rare et constitue un défi tant au niveau du diagnostic que du traitement. L’exclusion de la naevomatose basocellulaire est indiquée. Peu de rapports publiés traitent de cette entité ou des stratégies thérapeutiques.

Objectifs

Nous présentons le cas d’un patient atteint de carcinomes basocellulaires unilatéraux localisés qui a bien réagi à la thérapie photodynamique (TPD).

Méthodes

La thérapie photodynamique a été entamée au moyen de Levulan® Kerastick®. La solution topique a été enduite sur le dos du patient et illuminée, le lendemain, par le BLU-U Blue Light Illuminator.

Résultats

Le patient a bien toléré la procédure et aucune complication ne s’en est suivie. Le patient a bien réagi au traitement et a été libre de carcinomes cellulaires apparents pendant 18 mois.

Conclusion

Nous rapportons le cas d’un patient présentant des carcinomes basocellulaires unilatéraux localisés qui ont été traités au moyen de la TPD. Le diagnostic de cette entité rare est difficile en raison de l’absence dans les tests cliniques et radiologiques du syndrome de la naevomatose basocellulaire. Tout comme la naevomatose basocellulaire, le carcinome basocellulaire unilatéral pose un défi au niveau de la thérapie vu le seul nombre de tumeurs cutanées. Le recours à la thérapie photodynamique s’est avéré efficace, avec un faible taux d’événements indésirables et un bon résultat cosmétique.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Brian C. Brockway, M.S. of the Department of Medical Photography and Illustration at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia for illustrations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, The Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA

    Joshua E. Lane & Jack L. Lesher Jr

  2. Allen Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, Macon, GA, USA

    Jennifer H. Allen

  3. Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Tanda N. Lane

  4. Joshua E. Lane, 308 Coliseum Drive, Suite 200, Macon, GA, 31217, USA

    Joshua E. Lane

Authors
  1. Joshua E. Lane
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  2. Jennifer H. Allen
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  4. Jack L. Lesher Jr
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Correspondence to Joshua E. Lane.

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Lane, J.E., Allen, J.H., Lane, T.N. et al. Unilateral Basal Cell Carcinomas: An Unusual Entity Treated with Photodynamic Therapy. J Cutan Med Surg 9, 336–340 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-005-0118-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-005-0118-z

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