Glossary of Terms

AK actinic keratosis
ALA 5-aminolevulinic acid; naturally occurring precursor to protoprophyrin IX in the haem     biosynthetic pathway
ALA-S 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase, rate-limiting enzyme for haem synthesis
BCC basal cell carcinoma
BD bowen's disease
nBCC nodular basal cell carcinoma
sBCC superficial basal cell carcinoma
CR complete response; complete disappearance of the treated lesion(s)
FD fluorescence diagnosis
Fluorescence luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiation at one wavelength followed by nearly immediate reradiation usually at a different wavelength and that ceases almost at once when the incident radiation stops
MAL methyl aminolevulinate
MAOP Methyl-[5-amino-4-oxopentanoat]; German term for MAL
Non-CR non-complete response, any less than complete disappearance of the treated lesion(s)
NMSC non-melanoma skin cancer
PAP photoactive porphyrins
PDD photodynamic detection
PDT photodynamic therapy
PpIX photoporphyrin IX; a potent natural photosensitiser
ROS reactive oxygen species; an excited or higher energy form of oxygen
SCC squamous cell carcinoma