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The treatment of early-stage penile carcinoma is usually represented by wide excision or partial penectomy with or without inguinal lymph node dissection. However, laser ablation of the tumor may have a prominent role as an organ-sparing approach. In this regard, the combination of UltraPulse CO2 laser and photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be a valid option, especially when surgery is not feasible or refused. UltraPulse CO2 laser allows for the formation of gentle cutaneous abrasion that destroys the malignant tissue and, at the same time, improving the uptake of methyl aminolevulinate and amplifying the photochemical reaction of PDT in the tumor and surrounding tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common type of skin cancer in the world, usually arises in sun‐exposed areas of the skin. The therapeutic approach to periocular BCC has changed in the last few years. Currently the treatment, considering the delicate localization of the disease, must not only ensure complete recovery from the neoplastic disease, but must also satisfy functional and aesthetic criteria. In this study we tried to evaluate the efficacy of CO2 laser and photodynamic therapy in periocular BCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We treated two patients with recalcitrant lichen sclerosus (LS) of the penis with a combination of 1927 nm thulium fiber laser and methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT). Background data: Therapy of LS is based on topical potent steroids, emollients, and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Circumcision is effective, but not always accepted. PDT represents a valid therapeutic option in refractory cases, but there are no reports about the association with 1927 nm thulium laser in the treatment of this pathology. Materials and methods: We used to treat the affected areas with a combination of 1927 nm thulium fiber laser and MAL PDT in the same section. The same protocol was repeated after 1 month. Results: An improvement of lesions after the first treatment and complete cleaning after 3 months of therapy were noted. Results were maintained in the follow-up after 2 years. Conclusions: Association with 1927 nm thulium laser was able to amplify the effectiveness of PDT and to promote tissue remodeling. Despite the positive response to our case, clinical studies are lacking and further analysis could be performed on a wider population to better define correct dosage and safety profile. Further, it is necessary to compare this procedure with other treatments to establish the real effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dear Editor, A 68-year-old Caucasian man presented to our Institute with a 2-year history of keratotic, erosive, pustular, and crusting lesions of the scalp (Figure a) arose after the treatment of actinic keratoses with cryotherapy, imiquimod 5% cream, and local trauma. Based on the extent of cutaneous lesions, a combined treatment with fractional 1,927 nm Thulium laser (TL) plus photodynamic therapy (PDT) was proposed. TL, Thulium laser; PDT, photodynamic therapy gl EPDS is a rare inflammatory disease, typically affecting elderly people, characterized by keratotic, erosive, pustular, and crusting lesions (Grubbs & Robb, [1]). [Extracted from the article]