Treatment of verrucous carcinoma in penis with topical aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy: An effective and safe treatment method

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2018 Dec:24:232-236. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2018.08.015. Epub 2018 Sep 8.

Abstract

Background: Verrucous carcinoma of the penis is a rare disease characterized by verrucous lesions. The traditional treatment methods for verrucous carcinoma result in loss of sexual function are not satisfactory. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effect of topical aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of verrucous carcinoma in penis.

Materials and methods: In this study, four male patients, average age of (47 ± 7.58) years old, with penile verrucous carcinoma were treated with topical aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) combined with curettage. First, the lesions were removed under local anesthesia. Then, the first session of PDT was performed right away. Ten percent 5-ALA cream was applied to surface of the lesions with occlusive dressing for a 3-h incubation period and the lesions were irradiated for 10 min by using a 635-nm laser beam of 177 mW/cm2 intensity. The ALA-PDT was repeated after 1 and 3 weeks and two other treatments applied if necessary.

Results: Three patients were cured by this treatment, with one case relapsed at 3 months. There was no other recurrence at 5 years off treatments. The satisfaction rate of patients was 75% at 3 months after treatments.

Conclusions: Topical PDT can be an effective and successful treatment modality for verrucous carcinoma in penis.

Keywords: Carcinoma; Penile neoplasms; Photochemotherapy; Physiological; Sexual dysfunction; Topical photodynamic therapy; Verrucous.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aminolevulinic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Verrucous / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Penile Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / epidemiology

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Aminolevulinic Acid