Skin Cancer Treatments – Photodynamic Therapy

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Photodynamic Therapy for Skin Cancer
Last Updated: 06/11/2008
Cancer Treatment Centers of America

One of the innovative Cancer Treatment Centers of America facilities offers a promising new treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is a two-step procedure that is done on an outpatient basis. You will be injected with a light-activated drug (Photofrin), which targets cancerous cells. Approximately 24-48 hours later, a laser light is directed onto tumor cells, exposing the cancerous tissue to a certain spectrum of light. The light "switches on" the drug, destroying the cancerous cells without damaging your surrounding healthy tissue.

The benefits of PDT include:

It is performed on an outpatient basis
It is relatively pain free
PDT requires minimal sedation
The treatment involves less risk than surgical procedures
There are minimal side effects
There are two possible main side effects possible with PDT:

Local swelling inflammation, which may occur in and around your esophagus and skins, causing some discomfort.
All PDT patients experience photosensitivity for approximately 30 days due to the continued presence of the drug in the body. From the time you receive an injection of Photofrin, your skin and eyes will be sensitive to bright light. You should avoid exposure to bright light or direct sunlight to prevent sunburn, redness, and swelling. Normal indoor lighting, television and computer exposure are fine.
Other potential side effects include: nausea, fever and/or constipation. These usually subside in 48-72 hours.

About the light source used:

A low-power laser is used, which is not the same type used in laser surgery. The light used in PDT is non-thermal, meaning no heat is involved.