Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours (including premalignant and primary non-metastatic skin lesions)

Summary

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours (including premalignant and primary non-metastatic skin lesions).

Description

Non-melanoma skin tumours include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease and actinic (or solar) keratoses.

Current treatments for basal cell carcinoma include topical chemotherapy, curettage, surgical excision, cryotherapy and radiotherapy. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually removed surgically. Actinic keratoses and Bowen's disease are usually treated with curettage, cryotherapy or topical chemotherapy.

Before photodynamic therapy (PDT), the lesion is prepared by removing overlying crust and scale. Cream containing a photosensitising agent is applied to the lesion and a margin of surrounding skin. The area is covered with a light occlusive dressing and left for a few hours. Excess cream is then removed and the lesion is illuminated by light of an appropriate wavelength to activate the photosensitiser, producing targeted tumour destruction. Occasionally, the photosensitising agent may be given intravenously. More than one lesion may be treated in a session and the treatment may be repeated.

OPCS4.6 Code(s):

A code from category S07.- Photodynamic therapy of skin below is assigned:

S07.1  Photodynamic therapy of skin of whole body

S07.8 Other specified photodynamic therapy of skin

S07. 9 Unspecified photodynamic therapy of skin

 

Plus a Chapter ‘Z’ code to identify the body site treated.

_{The NHS Classifications Service of NHS Connecting for Health is the central definitive source for clinical coding guidance and determines the coding standards associated with the classifications (OPCS-4 and ICD-10) to be used across the NHS.   The NHS Classifications Service and NICE work collaboratively to ensure the most appropriate classification codes are provided.  www.connectingforhealth.co.uk/clinicalcoding}

Details

Contact details:

Links:

	IPG155 Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours (including premalignant and primary non-metastatic skin lesions): guidance (web format)	04 April 2011
	IPG155 Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours - guidance	22 February 2006
	IPG155 Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours - information for the public	22 February 2006
	Interventional Procedures Consultation Document - Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours (including premalignant and primary non-metastatic skin lesions)	25 October 2005
	Interventional procedures overview of photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours (including premalignant and primary, non-metastatic skin lesions)	25 October 2005