Clinical protocol standardized in a public health system using a prototype for actinic keratosis and field cancerization treatment

Abstract

Background/purpose: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are pre-malignant skin lesions. The sun exposure is the main cause of AKs. The highest incidence of AK occurs in the arms and back of hands of photodamaged skin. New approaches to Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) includes new advances for the simultaneous treatment of these large areas. The PDT is an option of effective treatment and not invasive of AK with excellent aesthetic results. Methods: A new development in this regard is the use a new equipment of Brazilian technology developed in Physics Institute of São Carlos (University of São Paulo, Brazil) for the treatment of AK. The PDTof AKs was performed by application of the cream (3 hours) containing 15% Methil-aminolevulinic acid (MAL), followed by 20 minutes of photoactivation using a source of red light at 630nm and 36J/cm². Results: The complete response was of 70% in 80 patients with the presence of 24 to 205 lesions with a mean of 63.5. Conclusion: the PDT using a new prototype named Kerato PDT may represent a promiing therapeutic alternative for AK of arms.