How does pdt work

Photodynamic therapy PDT is a treatment used mainly for superficial types of skin cancer. PDT is effective in treating actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinomas. It may also be used for treatment of small, thin, low-risk nodular basal cell carcinomas outside of the head and neck area. Skin lesions suitable for photodynamic therapy Superficial basal cell carcinoma.

PDT is also sometimes used off-label for facial rejuvenation and to treat mild to moderate acne. Several other conditions have also been studied and may respond to PDT such as psoriasis, warts, mycosis fungoides and extramammary Paget's disease. PDT utilises photosensitising agents, oxygen and light, to create a photochemical reaction that selectively destroys cancer cells.

Photosensitising agents are drugs that are administered into the body through topical , oral or intravenous methods. In the body, they concentrate in cancer cells and only become active when light of a certain wavelength is directed onto the area where the cancer is.

The photodynamic reaction between the photosensitising agent, light and oxygen kills the cancer cells. Methyl aminolevulinic acid cream. Journal of Clinical Medicine. Photodynamic therapy for cancer. National Cancer Institute. Accessed March 31, Getting photodynamic therapy.

American Cancer Society. Cillo U, et al. Surgery for cholangiocarcinoma. Liver International. Allow at least three days off work, up to a week if you have a public-facing role. What are you looking for? Photodynamic Therapy PDT. How is the treatment performed? How well does PDT work? How many treatments will I need? How should I care for my skin after treatment? For the first 3 - 4 days after treatment, perform the following regimen 4 times daily: Make up a bowl of cooled salty water 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl Dip a clean Chux in the bowl, and then let the Chux lie on your skin for 10 minutes.

It is important to tell your PDT treatment team about any side effects you have. It is best to read this information with our general information about the type of cancer you have.

When PDT is used to treat early-stage cancers, the aim is to cure the cancer. When PDT is used for more advanced cancers, the aim is to shrink the cancer and reduce symptoms. Researchers are trying to find out which types of cancer PDT works best for. Clinical trials are looking at new:. Sometimes PDT cannot be used. This depends on where the cancer is in the body. Your hospital doctor can tell you whether PDT is the right treatment for you.

If you have skin cancer, they apply the drug to your skin as a cream. If the cancer is inside the body, they may give the drug as an injection into a vein intravenously. Sometimes the drug is given as a drink. When you have had the drug, you wait for it to build up in the cancer cells.

This may take a few hours to a few days, depending on the type of drug used. For some treatments, you may be able to go home during this time. There are different types of light-sensitive drug. The drug you are given will depend on the type of cancer you have, and which treatment is best for your situation. Your doctor or nurse will explain more about this and tell you how the drug is given.

The second stage of treatment involves shining a laser, or sometimes a non-laser, light on to the cancer or the affected area. For treatment to the skin, the light is shone straight on to the skin. For cancers inside the body, a flexible tube endoscope may need to be passed into your body to guide the light to the affected area. A scan or ultrasound may be used to help direct the light to the right part of the body. We have more information about PDT for skin cancer.

It is usually used to treat areas on the head or face. The doctor or nurse applies the light-sensitive cream. Then natural daylight activates the treatment.

You may have to sit outside or in a conservatory if you have access to one. You usually sit in the daylight for 2 to 3 hours, with the affected area uncovered. Your nurses will talk to you about using suncream, if you need it. If rain is forecast, the hospital will contact you to arrange your treatment for a different day.

Side effects are similar to the side effects for standard PDT to the skin. But daylight PDT usually causes less discomfort. The treated area of skin will be sensitive to daylight and bright, indoor lighting. This will last for around 24 to 36 hours. You will need to keep the treated area of skin covered during this time.

After that, you can wash and have a bath or shower as usual. It is important to treat your skin gently and avoid rubbing the area while it is sensitive. When you are having the treatment, you may feel a burning sensation. Some people find this uncomfortable or painful.

A cooling fan or a water spray, or both, may help with this. Some hospitals use a machine that delivers cool air to the treated area. Your nurse may give you painkillers before the treatment. Or they may apply a local anaesthetic to numb the area.