Abstract

ADVANCE OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF NON-MELANOMA SKIN CANCER: LITERATURE REVISION

Rafaela Fernanda Batista and Ana Laura Remédio Zeni Beretta *

ABSTRACT

Non-melanoma skin cancer is the cancer with the highest incidence in Brazil, corresponding to 30% of all malignancies registered in the country. This type of neoplasm has low lethality, but delayed diagnosis can lead to physical deformities and worsening of quality of life. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic modality for the treatment of several types of cancer, including that of skin. This literature review aimed to report the progression of PDT in the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer, summarizing the basic concepts of therapy, knowledge of photosensitizers, and mechanisms involved in the destruction of cancer cells, indications and the limitations of photodynamic treatment in the skin cancers. This review suggests that PDT is constantly advancing and has studies proving its efficacy as a first-line treatment in precancerous lesions, especially in non-melanoma skin cancer, as well as improving the quality of life of the patient.

Keywords: Non-melanoma skin cancer, photodynamic therapy and photosensitizers.