Factors predicting pain and effect of oral analgesia in topical photodynamic therapy

Methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy combined with curettage debulking for pigmented basal cell carcinoma

“…We include in our PDT protocol the use of acetaminophen or metamizole 30 min before irradiation in most of our patients. Surprisingly Hambly et al (10). found that those patients who took analgesia 30 min prior to treatment had a significantly higher pain score than those who did not, this was because those who took analgesia were more likely to report higher pain scores; we were not able to found significant differences probably because the low size of our sample; however, we have seen that it does not affect the response to MAL-PDT.…”

Early and Late Onset Side Effects of Photodynamic Therapy

“…Pain is the result of the interplay between many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. No correlation was found with age or sex, and no studies investigated racial influence [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Skin phototype seems to not influence pain experience, although some studies reported higher intensity of pain in fair-skinned patients.…”

“…Many studies identified AK as the most painful lesion to treat, with head and neck location having the greatest impact on pain perception, because of the high nerve density; lesions located on the limbs cause a greater degree of pain than those on the trunk [ 11 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 42 ]. Nevertheless, other researchers found nodular BCC and BD to be the most painful lesions to treat, suggesting a role for lesion thickness [ 16 , 24 ]. The treatment area size positively correlates with severe pain, with larger areas being more painful [ 12 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Adverse effects of topical photodynamic therapy: a consensus review and approach to management

“…Thus, while nerve block, subcutaneous infiltration with anaesthetic, TENS, cooling air and/or pausing irradiation may be of benefit, more typical forms of topical anaesthetics or oral analgesics have not been shown to be effective . Modifying PDT regimens to employ lower irradiance light delivery is usually most effective, enabling successful treatment …”