Light therapy is an alternative treatment for depression, insomnia and other mood disorders. It utilizes bright light to retrain the body’s natural clock.
During a session, you sit near a light box that emits bright white light similar to natural sunlight. This affects your brain’s melatonin and serotonin levels.
What is photodynamic therapy (PDT)?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for many skin conditions and cancers, unlike other treatments such as radiation or surgery which can harm healthy cells in your body. PDT offers a safe alternative to these other methods without harming healthy ones.
PDT utilizes a drug called a photosensitizing agent, which absorbs abnormal cells. When exposed to specific wavelengths of light, this drug produces oxygen which kills cancerous cells.
Additionally, certain photosensitizing agents may activate your body’s natural immune response. This is an effective tool in fighting cancer that may prevent it from spreading elsewhere on your body.
Once injected into an abnormal cell, a photosensitizing agent must remain for hours or days until activated by light.
When performing Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), the light source used can vary based on the type of cancer or pre-cancer being treated. It could be from a laser, LEDs or other sources.
Photodynamic therapy is a treatment option available at select hospitals and dermatology offices nationwide, but only a few have the equipment and experienced doctors who are proficient in using it to combat cancer or pre-cancer. Board-certified dermatologist Michele Green from NYC Dermatology Practice on Upper East Side is one of those few who offers this procedure.
As a PDT patient, you can expect redness, swelling and irritation at the treatment site after treatment. These symptoms usually resolve within 5-14 days following the procedure.
Your doctor will give you instructions about taking care of your skin during and after the healing period. This includes avoiding direct sun exposure and wearing hats or clothing that shields the area from direct sun exposure. Furthermore, apply sunscreen regularly and avoid tanning beds to help promote healthy healing of your skin.
Most people who receive PDT can resume their usual activities immediately after treatment, though some may need to take extra precautions for full healing. Your doctor will discuss any risks and potential side effects associated with the procedure with you before it takes place.
How does PDT work?
PDT (photodynamic therapy) is a noninvasive cancer treatment that utilizes drugs and light to kill cancer cells. It has applications in treating various kinds of tumors such as those of the mouth, skin, lungs and even helps prevent cancer spread.
Doctors administer drugs to areas of the body in need of treatment and then shine a specific kind of light on it. The drug makes cells sensitive to this light, ultimately leading to destruction of cancer cells. You may receive this drug via cream, pill, or injection; just remember not to put too much on!
Once a drug has been absorbed into your body, it must take some time for its full absorption by skin and surrounding tissue. This period is known as the drug-to-light interval.
Your doctor can then use laser or other types of light to destroy cancer cells. The exposure causes a chemical reaction in tissue surrounding the tumor that can ultimately eliminate them and block off blood vessels feeding them.
In rare instances, this reaction may also weaken the immune system for a period of time. In extreme cases, this could even lead to skin cancer at the site where the light was applied.
To protect your skin from the reactions caused by PDT, your doctor may advise you to stay out of strong, direct sunlight for several days after treatment. While you are allowed to go outside during this time, be sure to wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat for added protection.
If you fail to adhere to these instructions, the photosensitizer could break down too quickly, leaving the area swollen and red. This is a common side effect of PDT; if it occurs, contact your doctor right away for advice. Generally, symptoms are mild and will dissipate within a day or two.
What are the side effects of PDT?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective method for treating various types of cancer. This treatment combines a drug that makes cells sensitive to light with specific wavelengths of light that destroy the cancer cells. It may also be used on other conditions like acne and warts.
If you have one of the conditions it treats, a cancer specialist or dermatologist may suggest PDT for you. They will explain what to expect during treatment and how it will benefit you.
For most skin cancers, PDT involves applying a cream to your affected area and then exposing it to an intense light for eight minutes. Your doctor will instruct you how long to keep the treatment area covered after it’s finished and how best to care for it afterwards.
Pain is the most frequent side effect of PDT and may be severe enough to dissuade someone from seeking additional treatments.
The intensity of PDT may differ depending on your individual circumstances. If your skin is highly sensitive, be extra gentle when applying cream. Furthermore, remember that it takes a few days for your skin to recover after treatment.
Other side effects of PDT may include a rash or itchy skin that usually clears up after several weeks. You may also experience sore throat or headache symptoms.
Some people may experience an infection at the site of their treatment. If this occurs, antibiotics may be necessary.
You could develop a rash from taking drugs to make the area sensitive to light. This can be extremely painful, so it’s best to stay home from work until the rash subsides.
Side effects are possible with both types of PDT, though daylight PDT is more commonly experienced. After your treatment, your skin will be covered in bandages for around a day afterward; make sure to apply sunscreen while outdoors to protect it.
Daylight PDT is less painful than other kinds of PDT, and can be used to treat a range of conditions. Furthermore, it’s more cost-effective than other treatments available.
What are the risks of PDT?
If you have cancer, your doctor may suggest light therapy (photodynamic therapy (PDT)) to treat tumors or growths that could spread the disease elsewhere on your body. PDT works by creating a chemical in the treatment area called a photosensitizer that converts light into toxic oxygen that destroys cancer cells. It has been approved by the FDA for treating cancer of the esophagus and lung, though further trials are being done with other types of cancer as well.
Your doctor or specialist will apply the agent where desired and then illuminate it to activate it. While skin and surrounding tissue may become irritated from this exposure, it typically subsides after a few hours.
People with PDT may experience sensitivity to bright light for several days after treatment. To reduce the risk of getting sunburnt, they should stay out of direct sunlight and wear protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
PDT may cause urticaria, an itchy red or swollen rash on the skin where the medication was applied. This rash typically lasts from several days to a week and may cause itching or hives.
In certain instances, prophylactic therapy with antibiotics (PDT) can alter your immune system to make you less susceptible to certain diseases. These include certain cancers, autoimmune disorders and other health issues.
PDT may cause a rare side effect of cancer at the site of administration. This occurrence is extremely rare and usually only occurs if your immune system has been severely weakened for an extended period of time.
PDT can be used to treat conditions such as squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis and melanoma. With this procedure, your doctor will remove some or all of these cancers to extend your life expectancy.
