What types of cancer are currently treated with PDT?

The FDA has approved photodynamic therapy to treat:

• actinic keratosis.
• advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
• Barrett esophagus.
• basal cell skin cancer.
• esophageal (throat) cancer.
• non-small cell lung cancer.
• squamous cell skin cancer (Stage 0)

Where is photodynamic therapy most effective?

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.

Who is the ideal patient for photodynamic therapy?

Ideal candidates for PDT usually have lighter or fair skin that exhibits sun damage, particularly scaly spots called actinic keratosis. You may not be a good candidate if you are sensitive to light or taking any type of medication that might bring on skin irritation during light-based therapies.

How much does PDT treatment cost?

The typical cost for PDT can range anywhere from $100 up to $4,000 or more for a single treatment. A series of PDT treatments can cost more than $10,000 over the course of a few months or years.

What is photodynamic therapy used to treat?

Photodynamic therapy is approved by the FDA for the treatment of actinic keratoses (AK), which are precancerous skin growths caused by sun-damaged cells in the epidermis (the skin’s outermost layer). “We think of these as precursors to skin cancer,” says Dr. Christensen.

Does PDT treatment hurt?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-known, effective method for treating extensive areas of multiple actinic keratoses in the face and scalp. The main side-effect of PDT is the pain experienced during treatment.

How effective is photodynamic?

Studies have shown that PDT can work as well as surgery or radiation therapy in treating certain kinds of cancers and pre-cancers. It has some advantages, such as: It has no long-term side effects when used properly. It’s less invasive than surgery.

How successful is photodynamic?

What are the benefits of PDT?

Advantages of PDT for acne

• killing acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
• affecting only targeted cells, helping to maintain skin integrity.
• reducing the size and activity of sebaceous glands.
• helping fade old acne scars.
• not causing scarring.

How long does photodynamic last?

The treated area of the skin is usually quite red and may appear to be flaking or peeling, as it would after a mild sunburn. The redness, and perhaps some of the flaking, can last for several days to a week or even two weeks. (After that, skin returns to normal.)

What can I expect after photodynamic therapy?

Following PDT, the treated areas can appear red with some peeling for 2-7 days. Temporary swelling of the lips and around your eyes can occur for a few days. Darker pigmented patches called liver spots can become temporarily darker and then peel off leaving normal skin. (This usually occurs over seven to ten days.)

How long has photodynamic therapy been around?

With more studies on PDT, von Tappeiner and Jodlbauer reported in 1904 that the presence of oxygen was a must for photosensitization. Therefore, he was the first to come up with the term “photodynamic therapy” (Figure 1.3). Fig. 1.3 Hospital phototherapy.