Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42839189›Full record

ArticleDermatology and therapy2026

Canadian Expert Consensus Recommendations on the Use of Photodynamic Therapy in Actinic Keratosis.

Vimal H Prajapati, Vincent Richer, Megan Sander, Alim R Devani, Sonya Abdulla, Maxwell Sauder, Simon Nigen, Ivan V Litvinov, Charles W Lynde, Jaggi Rao

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Article in Dermatology and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Vimal H PrajapatiDivision of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. vimal@dermatologyresearch.ca.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8315-2522
Vincent RicherPacific Derm, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Megan SanderSkin Health & Wellness Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Alim R DevaniSkin Health & Wellness Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Sonya AbdullaDermatology on Bloor, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Maxwell SauderUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Simon NigenDivision of Dermatology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Ivan V LitvinovDepartment of Specialized Medicine (Dermatology), St. Mary's Hospital Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Charles W LyndeDivision of Dermatology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Jaggi RaoDivision of Dermatology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionActinic keratosis (AK), a common ultraviolet light-induced keratinocyte neoplasm arising within chronically photodamaged skin, is associated with field cancerization and potential progression to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established field-directed treatment option for AK, but Canadian-specific practical guidance on its use remains limited. This study aimed to develop Canadian expert consensus recommendations on the overall role, positioning, technique, safety, follow-up, and use of PDT as well as PDT use in special sites and populations.

methodsA targeted literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE for English-language publications from 2005 onward, with the final search run on October 10, 2025. Evidence was used to inform candidate statements across predefined PDT-related domains. Ten Canadian dermatologists with extensive experience with management of AK and use of PDT participated in a structured modified Delphi process, rating statements anonymously over two rounds using a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was defined a priori as at least 75% agreement or strong agreement.

resultsAll 10 panelists participated in both Delphi rounds. A total of 25 consensus statements were finalized across six domains: disease framing and need for AK treatment; lesion- versus field-directed treatment strategies for AK management; role and positioning of PDT in AK management; PDT technique and modalities for AK management; PDT for AK management in special sites and populations; and PDT safety, follow-up, and combination strategies. All finalized statements achieved consensus. The panel positioned PDT as an effective field-directed strategy, particularly for non-hypertrophic facial and scalp AKs, with treatment selection guided by disease extent and the need for field cancerization with PDT; efficacy, tolerability, cosmetic outcome, and access to PDT; and patient preference for PDT.

conclusionThis Canadian expert consensus supports PDT as a practical field-directed strategy for appropriately selected patients with AK, while emphasizing individualized care, shared decision-making, realistic expectations for chronic disease management, and ongoing follow-up. Further research is needed to clarify re-treatment intervals, outcomes for special sites and populations, and optimal combination strategies.

Indexed as

Actinic keratosisDelphi consensusDermatologyField cancerizationPhotodynamic therapy

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.