Outcomes of neoadjuvant ALA-PDT treatment for elderly patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant ALA-PDT therapy combining a narrow-margin excision in elderly patients with invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the face and neck. Patients with large lesions or partially infected tumors received neoadjuvant ALA-PDT before surgical resection. All tumors were excised with a 3-mm narrow clinical margin. Neoadjuvant ALA-PDT was treated on the open incision every 1 to 2 weeks until healed. In total, 29 of 32 patients achieved an objective response rate of 90%. The median age of patients was 83.33 years old (range from 64 to 98). The average neoadjuvant ALA-PDT treatment was 5.2 (range 3 to 13). Contours and functionality in the treated area remained well. Neoadjuvant ALA-PDT treatment combined with a 3mm narrow-margin excision induced a high response in elderly patients and presented a promising therapeutic strategy for invasive cSCC.