Photodynamic Therapy, according to Cancer.org is:
A treatment that uses special drugs, called photosensitizing agents, along with light to kill cancer cells. The drugs only work after they have been activated or “turned on” by certain kinds of light. PDT may also be called photoradiation therapy, phototherapy, or photochemotherapy. Continue reading “Photodynamic Therapy : A Patient Shares Her Experience”
Sarah, our Physician Assistant, demonstrates the application of Levulon. It is a skin cancer pre-treatment before undergoing Photodyanamic Therapy (PDT). The solution comes in a vial and applied directly on the skin one hour before the blue light therapy.
Patient explains the history of her skin cancer and her option of doing the Photodynamic Therapy treatment (PDT) before undergoing Mohs skin cancer surgery. She also emphasizes the importance of using sunblock.
PDT Treatment or Photodynamic Therapy is completed. The patient shares her experience.. After a Blue Light Treatment, the patient must hibernate and be completely out of the sun for a few days. For this reason, a very strong sunblock is applied.
Additionally, Sarah, our Physician Assistant gives great sunscreen tips to prevent skin cancer. Dr. Mejia, a qualified Mohs skin cancer surgeon will then follow up with attentive care for the results of the PDT.
Watch as a patient undergoes the actual procedure of Photodynamic Therapy, or PDT. After the pre-treatment as explained in our previous post, the patient is now under the Blue Light. Goggles are necessary to protect the eyes. Levulon, the solution in the pre-treatment is now being absorbed by the pre-cancerous cells. Dr. Mejia, a skin cancer specialist and surgeon oversees all the procedures.
Sarah, our Physician Assistant, discusses the pre-treatment for PDT or Photodynamic Therapy. She explains how the solution of levulon is absorbed into the skin. PDT treats cancerous spots and prevents precancer before it turns to skin cancer. The solution is put on the patient for an hour and a half during which time the solution soaks to the skin. Later during the blue light therapy, the patients skin reacts to the blue light. PDT is a preventative treatment. It treats precancer spots and prevents turning from basal cell carcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma.
