Erythroplasia of Queyrat (EQ) is an intraepidermal carcinoma in situ presenting clinically as a sharply demarcated, slightly raised erythematosus plaque on the glans penis or the inner side of the foreskin. Various treatment modalities for EQ have been proposed, including electrocautery and curettage, topical 5-floururacil cream, imiquimod cream, isotretinoin, cryotherapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, ingenol mebutate gel and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Most of these treatments are limited by low clearance rates and frequent relapses. Surgical treatment including local excision, Mohs micrographic surgery and partial or total penectomy, ensures adequate healing rates. However, discomfort consequent to surgical treatment might be unacceptable. Topical PDT using the methyl ester of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (MAL) is an established non-surgical treatment of cutaneous precancerous lesions and skin cancers. We present the case of a 60-year-old uncircumcised man affected by EQ of the penis successfully treated with MAL-PDT, performed five times, two weeks apart, with no recurrences after 6 years.

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A 68-year-old woman was referred to the unit of dermatology for a large basal cell carcinoma on the chin. She was treated with imiquimod cream 5%, and 4 weeks after she developed isolated and grouped tense serum-filled vesicles and bullae on lips, nose, scalp, ankles and lumbar area, and then expanded to the whole body. Histological examination was consistent with a subepidermal bullous dermatosis. Moreover, direct immunofluorescence showed linear deposition of IgA at the basement membrane zone supporting the diagnosis of linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD). Dapsone 50 mg/day was administered, and the lesions gradually improved within some weeks, and no new lesions appeared. The temporal relationship between the application of the drug and the development of the disease indicates a role of this topical agent in triggering LABD.

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