New Approach Prevents Skin Cancer Using Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Every year there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung, and
combined colon cancers. One in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime.
90% of skin cancers are caused by excessive sun exposure, but less than 33
percent of adults, teens, and children routinely use sunscreen.
Cancer prevention and early detection techniques could eliminate up to 100,000
cancer cases and 60,000 cancer deaths in the US each year. New technologies in the
evaluation and treatment of sun-damaged skin could have a positive impact on
change these statistics.
The same sunny weather that attracts so many tourists and new residents to the
The sun belt also increases the risk of skin cancer. The effects of chronic sun exposure
result in superficial sunspots that are visible and also invisible changes that occur
below the skin surface. Ultraviolet Photography and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
are two recent developments that should help in early detection and treatment
of both types of precancerous skin lesions.
Early detection with UV photography
Ultraviolet (UV) photography offers a very useful detection tool to help experts
doctor detects sun damaged skin that may not be visible in a routine
test.
Visual inspection can only detect changes on the skin surface, but damage due to
sun exposure occurs under the outer layer of the skin,
The UV camera briefly illuminates the face with ultraviolet light. UV light is capable of
Penetrate 1.5-2.0 millimeters below the visible dead layer of skin and focus on the
portion of real life where sun damage originates. The advantage for the doctor and
the patient is that this technology allows skin problems to be detected much earlier
before they become visible pre-cancers on the skin’s surface. After
finishing the treatment plan, the doctor should take another UV photo to verify the
treatment efficacy. UV photography also helps to evaluate other skin conditions.
including acne, oil balance, hydration, inflammation, growths, fungus, pH and slimming
skin due to collagen reduction which makes it an ideal tool to assess all problems
skin.
After damage to the deeper layers of the skin, superficial signs of sun damage may appear.
they finally appear on the surface. The most common superficial lesion is known as
actinic keratoses (AK). QAs usually appear as rough or scaly patches. they can too
it crumbles, forms a scab, and may go away temporarily and then come back.
A QA is more likely to appear on the face, ears, scalp, neck, back of the hands, and
forearms, shoulders and lips – the parts of the body most frequently exposed to
Sunshine. The scaly patch can be light or dark, tan, pink, red, or a combination of
these… or the same color as your skin.
It is estimated that 10-20% of untreated AKs will become squamous cells.
cancers. If treated early, almost all AKs can be removed without becoming skin.
cancers. If you have AK, it indicates you have suffered sun damage and have
an increased risk of developing all types of skin cancer, not just squamous cell
carcinoma.
The more keratoses a person has, the greater the chance that one or more will become
in skin cancer. People can also have up to 10 times more subclinical (invisible) symptoms.
lesions such as visible superficial lesions. These invisible lesions were undetectable until
the development of the UV camera.
treatment options
The most common treatment options for AKs have traditionally involved topical treatments.
5-FU ointment (Effudex), laser resurfacing, or chemical peels. to avoid the
prolonged recovery period and possible scarring associated with these techniques,
Photodynamic therapy has been developed.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the treatment of choice for the deepest invisible sun
damage, as well as the visible precancerous lesions of QA. PDT involves two steps
process that has proven its effectiveness in clinical trials. This treatment cleared
100% of QA in 2/3 of patients after one treatment.
The first step is the application of a topical solution called Levulan. abnormal cells
have a much higher affinity for and absorb the solution than healthy cells do
No. The solution is left for an incubation period lasting between 15
minutes to 18 hours.
The second step of PDT is to apply a concentrated light source to activate the
chemical reaction that destroys abnormal cells. How is the solution absorbed?
only in damaged cells, healthy cells are not affected. This process can cause
a slight burning sensation during treatment. Usually this gets better right away.
after treatment and ends within 24 hours.
After treatment, most patients experience mild swelling, redness, and a
desquamation of QA lesions and surrounding tissue. Patients who choose more
aggressive treatment will experience more flaking and/or scabbing in the damaged area
skin that resolves in one to two weeks. The doctor can easily control the
severity of these reactions by limiting the incubation period and the amount of
exposure to light source.
Patients who do not want to experience a long recovery time after the procedure
you can choose a milder treatment and return to work after a day or two. Tea
counterpart is that they will require more treatments to achieve the same clinic
results.
In addition to removing QAs and subsurface skin damage, PDT has also been
effective in improving the appearance of the skin by greatly reducing moderate to
severe acne (including cystic acne), reduction of color spots, reduction of fine spots
wrinkles and decreased pore size.
Anyone who currently has, has had or wants to prevent QA or precancerous skin
Lesions should be evaluated and treated using UV and photodynamic photography.
(PDT).” Once a person has been successfully treated using this approach,
It is recommended that they return for annual follow-up to prevent future problems.