[The role of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of stage I and II carcinoma of the lip].

In this research project the outcomes of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of stage I and II carcinoma of the lip are presented. Retrospectively, 15 patients diagnosed with a primary stage I or II lip carcinoma and treated with meta-tetra hydroxyphenyl chlorin mediated photodynamic therapy were evaluated. The primary outcome measure was disease free survival; the secondary outcome measure was the functional and aesthetic outcome after treatment. A total of 16 primary lip carcinomas were evaluated (75% stage I; 25% stage II). In 94% of the primary lip carcinomas, photodynamic therapy led to a complete remission after a variable follow-up of 14 months to 11 years. The functional and aesthetic long-term outcomes were considered excellent. Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of stage I and II lip carcinoma has a disease free survival rate comparable to surgery or radiotherapy and has outstanding functional and aesthetic outcomes.