Efficacy of 810-nm semiconductor laser combined with photodynamic therapy on oral leukoplakia

To explore the efficacy of a semiconductor laser combined with 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in the treatment of oral leukoplakia (OLK). This study was a pilot study. The control group received ALA-PDT. The treatment group was first treated with an 810-nm semiconductor laser followed by ALA-PDT. The therapeutic effects and complications were compared between the two groups. The differences at any time duration was statistically significant (control vs. treatment at 4 weeks: 21.5%±12.7% vs. 44.1%±10.9%, P=0.016; at 12 weeks: 36.8%±19.3% vs. 63.3%±18.0%, P=0.004; at 24 weeks: 44.4%±37.8% vs. 86.0%±20.3%, P<0.001). During treatment, the differences in the adverse reactions between the two groups were not statistically significant. The 810-nm semiconductor laser combined with ALA-PDT for OLK treatment might reduce the longest diameter of the lesion more quickly and without additional complications, but additional studies are necessary to examine the effectiveness.