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A case of basal cell carcinoma treated with photodynamic therapy – changes in histological features and bcl‐2 expression
Author(s) -
Harth Yoram,
Bergman Reuven,
Gotfried Varda,
Kimel Sol,
FriedmanBirnbaum Rachel
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.1996.tb00613.x
Subject(s) - photodynamic therapy , medicine , phototoxicity , h&e stain , pathology , basal cell carcinoma , lesion , immunohistochemistry , necrosis , carcinoma , basal cell , chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , in vitro
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the phototoxicity of photosensitizers, mostly porphyrins. Since systemic photodynamic therapy with δ‐aminolevulinic acid (δ‐ALA) causes prolonged whole‐skin photosensitivity, topical photodynamic therapy was developed. We describe the histological findings and the results of immunohistochemical staining for bcl‐2 protein in the basal cell carcinoma of a 71‐year‐old patient treated by photodynamic therapy with δ‐ALA. After histological confirmation of the diagnosis, 20%δ‐ALA in an aqueous cream base was applied to one lesion for 3 h. After 3 h the tumor was exposed to light emitted by a Kodak carousel light projector. Biopsies were taken before exposure and at days 3 and 21 after exposure. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin and with monoclonal antibody to bcl‐2 protein. The intermediate histological response 3 days after exposure was characterized by “squamoid” transformation of the tumor cells along with signs of necrosis, loss of bcl‐2 expression and an inflammatory cell reaction. Clinical and histological examinations 3 weeks after treatment showed no sign of residual tumor.