Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2010, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (10): 694-697.

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Topical photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid for cervical condyloma acuminatum

  

  • Received:2010-02-22 Revised:2010-05-12 Online:2010-10-15 Published:2010-10-09

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of 5-aminolaevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in cervical condyloma acuminatum. Methods Forty-five patients with cervical condyloma acuminatum topically applied 10% ALA thermal gel followed by PDT. The treatment was repeated 14 days later if the lesion was not completely removed. Totally, 1 - 4 treatment sessions were given. Thirty-five patients with cervical condyloma acuminatum who received CO2 laser treatment served as the control. All patients were followed up for 12 weeks. Results Complete remission was achieved in 97.8% (44/45) of patients with cervical condyloma acuminatum treated by ALA-PDT, and among the 44 cured patients, 3 were treated by 1 cycle of ALA-PDT, 6 by 2 cycles, 20 by 3 cycles, and 15 by 4 cycles. The lesions of condyloma acuminatum were removed after 1 session of CO2 laser treatment in 30 patients, and after repeated treatments in 5 patients, with the complete remission rate being 100% (35/35). The overall recurrence rate calculated for the whole follow-up period in patients treated with ALA-PDT was significantly lower than that in patients treated with CO2 laser [6.8% (3/44) vs 31.4% (11/35), χ2 = 6.497, P < 0.05]. However, no significant difference in complete remission rate was found between the two groups(P > 0.05). Almost all the patients in ALA-PDT group presented with pain of bythus during illumination, but no severe side effects or scar formation was observed. In patients treated with CO2 laser, adverse reactions mainly included bleeding, erosion, shallow ulcer and even scar formation. Conclusions Topical ALA-PDT is effective and safe for the treatment and reduction in recurrence of condyloma acuminatum, and may serve as a therapeutic option for cervical condyloma acuminatum.

Key words: 5-Aminolaevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT),Condylomata acuminata,cervix