Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT)

Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) is a means of treating superficial skin cancers and pre-cancerous skin growths.

Porphyrins are naturally occurring chemicals that when exposed to light glow or burn. There use has been shown to treat many different kinds of cancer.

PDT can successfully treat skin cancers that are confined to the epidermis (upper skin layers) and pre-cancer growths (those that will eventually become skin cancers). These types of tumours and growths tend to be large but thin and surgical excision although an option may leave a worse cosmetic result

PDT is a recognised treatment for:-

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Bowen’s disease (Squamous Cell Carcinoma in situ)
• Actinic or Solar Keratosis (a pre-cancerous skin growth)
• Diffusely sun-damaged skin (wide areas of skin involved with Actinic Keratoses)

How does PDT work?
The porphyrin chemical is absorbed by abnormal cells only. When natural light is shone onto the skin either at a high dose over a short time or at a low dose over a longer time period the abnormal cells are destroyed. Two treatments are usually required separated by a number of weeks.

How is the treatment carried out?
You will be asked to attend the clinic a minimum of 3 hours before hand. The porphyrin containing cream is applied to the area of skin to be treated and then covered. After 3 hours, the cream is wiped off and natural light is shone onto the skin with either a halogen light source or an Intense Pulse Light device.

Am I suitable for treatment?
There are no contra-indications except pregnancy and a few rare skin and liver disorders. If a scar free result is important to you, then you should seriously consider PDT.

Is it safe?
The treatment is uncomfortable when the light is being shone onto the skin. The skin will have the appearance of a graze or sunburn after treatment and slowly settle back to a normal flesh colour.

How many treatments are necessary?
Two – one treatment each week.

Aftercare
Avoid sun exposure on the treated area and keep it dry for 24hrs.

Consultation procedure
A consultation with a specialist is required to correctly diagnose your problem, estimate the success of PDT for you and discuss the full range of alternative medical or surgical treatments available.