Pulsed dye laser in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma: A single session versus two sessions - a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer worldwide. It has a specialized microvasculature system that can be targeted by the pulsed dye laser using the theory of selective photothermolysis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of single session versus two sessions of pulsed dye laser in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 22 patients with basal cell carcinoma were collected in this randomized controlled trial. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I - 11 patients were treated by one session of pulsed dye laser, and Group II - 11 patients received two sessions of pulsed dye laser 2 weeks apart. The patients were assessed clinically and histopathologically after end of the treatment.

Results: There was a significant improvement of basal cell carcinoma clinically and histopathologically. Maximal histological clearance rate was achieved in superficial basal cell carcinoma type, small-sized basal cell carcinoma < 0.7 cm and in cases with strong inflammatory response after laser treatment. Treatment of basal cell carcinoma with two sessions of pulsed dye laser was more effective than one session treatment.

Limitations: The small sample size of patients and the limited location of the lesions on the head compared with trunk and extremities. Also, the lack of adequate study power may prevent generalization of results.

Conclusion: Pulsed dye laser proved to be a safe, effective and noninvasive modality for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma that can be used as a monotherapy in small-sized lesions. Also, it can be used to debulk large-sized lesions before surgery.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; pulsed dye laser; skin cancer.