What are the alternatives to photodynamic therapy?

A rough sun-damaged patch such as actinic keratosis may be treated with freezing, a prescribed cream, scraping or another field treatment. Actinic cheilitis affects the lip and needs careful assessment because the lip has different healing and cancer-risk considerations. A suspected basal cell carcinoma or Bowen’s disease may require a biopsy and a treatment that removes or destroys the lesion with an appropriate margin.

Photodynamic therapy uses a light-activated medicine and is not interchangeable with every procedure. Factors such as lesion thickness, number, site, immune status, healing history and cosmetic priorities influence the recommendation.

Have each lesion examined rather than treating an undiagnosed spot at home. Ask whether a biopsy is needed and whether the proposed treatment addresses one lesion or a wider sun-damaged field. Tell the clinician about previous skin cancers, medicines that affect healing, immune conditions and any tendency to form thick scars. Protect treated and untreated skin from further ultraviolet exposure with shade, clothing and suitable sunscreen.

Seek prompt assessment for a sore that does not heal, bleeds easily, develops a firm edge, grows, changes colour or becomes painful. Arrange earlier review for a lesion on the lip, eyelid, ear or nose, or for redness, pus, fever and worsening pain after treatment. Urgent care is needed for facial swelling with breathing difficulty.

What is the diagnosis and depth of this lesion? Is a biopsy needed? Would freezing, topical 5-fluorouracil, scraping or surgery offer a better fit, and how will recurrence or incomplete treatment be checked?