Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on a photochemical reaction which is initiated by light activation of a photosensitizer. The photosensitizer accumulates more in tumor tissues than in normal tissues and is activated with specific wavelength of light, usually laser. The photochemical reaction produces highly reactive oxygen products causing cytotoxiciy and vascular shutdown to the tumor. The advantages of PDT are its relative selective tumor destruction and tissue healing by regeneration, which can maintain important structures with very good functional and esthetic results. Therefore, PDT is considered as an alternative modality for cancers of the head and neck. In this article, we will report three cases of photodynamic therapy for treatment of oral leukoplakia, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma of head and neck. It was observed that premalignant and malignant lesions responded well to the photodynamic therapy with Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and Foscan(R). Photodynamic therapy can be considered as a new treatment method for the premalignant and malignant tumors in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Aminolevulinic Acid ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Head ; Leukoplakia, Oral ; Neck ; Oxygen ; Photochemotherapy* ; Regeneration ; Surgery, Oral*