Response of psoriasis to red laser light (630 nm) following systemic injection of hematoporphyrin derivative.

Systemically injected hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) in combination with red laser light (630 nm) was used to treat a patient with intraepithelial neoplasia of the vulva. Since the patient had psoriasis in the mons pubis area this region also was exposed to the red light. The psoriasis treatment area was divided into two regions receiving 40 and 20 J/cm2. Both psoriatic zones responded vigorously to the HPD + light treatment, forming eschars by 1 week postirradiation. All three treatment zones (the neoplastic area and the two psoriatic areas) underwent normal reepithelialization by 17 days.