Photodynamic Therapy (Pdt)

It was originally intended to cure skin cancer, but it has subsequently been used to treat a variety of other ailments such as precancerous lesions, acne, and even age-related macular degeneration. 

In this post, we will look at the science underpinning PDT, its applications, and the benefits it provides to patients.

What exactly is Photodynamic Therapy? 

Photodynamic therapy is a non-invasive medical treatment that involves the administration of a photosensitizing chemical, which is then activated with a specific wavelength of light. Cancer cells or surrounding tissues selectively absorb the photosensitizer after application. When a photosensitizer is activated by a specific wavelength of light, it produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which harm or destroy the targeted cells in the treatment region.

What Is Photodynamic Therapy and How Does It Work? 

Photodynamic therapy works on a simple principle: cancer cells and other aberrant cells have higher metabolic activity than healthy cells, thus they absorb more of the photosensitizing chemical. 

When the photosensitising chemical is triggered by a specific wavelength of light, singlet oxygen is created, which destroys the aberrant cells while causing no harm to healthy cells.

Photodynamic treatment usually consists of three steps:

Administration of the Photosensitizing Agent: The administration of the photosensitizing agent is the initial stage in the photodynamic therapy process. The substance can be given topically, orally, or injected directly into the afflicted area, depending on the treatment.

Light Exposure: After administering the photosensitizing agent, the region is exposed to light of a certain wavelength, often via a laser or LED device. The length of exposure time is determined by the treatment and the type of light source employed.

Abnormal Cell Destruction: When the light activates the photosensitizer, it produces singlet oxygen, which damages the targeted cells. In the case of cancer cells, singlet oxygen damages the cell membrane at first, eventually leading to cell death.

What Should You Do Prior to, Following, and During Treatment?

To reduce skin sensitivity, avoid extensive sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 48 hours before the surgery. Make sure your skin is clean and avoid applying cosmetics, creams, or lotions on the day of the PDT treatment.

The doctor will give protective eyewear to cover your eyes from the light source during the procedure. During the treatment, you may feel warmth or tingling, but it should not be uncomfortable.

You may have redness and swelling in the treated area after the PDT process, but these effects will fade in about two days. 

It is also critical that you strictly adhere to the post-treatment instructions. These usually entail avoiding direct or indirect sun exposure for at least 48 hours and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen while outdoors. You should also avoid scratching or picking at the treated area and keep it clean and moisturised.

Regular follow-up sessions are required to evaluate your progress, and you must notify your doctor if you develop any troubling symptoms, such as increased pain or signs of infection.

Photodynamic Therapy Applications 

Photodynamic therapy has demonstrated potential as a treatment for a variety of medical disorders, including:

Skin Cancer: Photodynamic therapy is most commonly used to treat skin cancer, specifically superficial basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Photodynamic therapy, unlike traditional therapies such as surgery or radiation therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that does not require surgical incisions or scarring.

Precancerous Lesions: Photodynamic therapy can also be used to treat precancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis, which, if left untreated, can progress to skin cancer.

Acne: Photodynamic therapy has also been demonstrated to be useful in the treatment of acne, namely moderate to severe acne that has not responded to standard therapies such as antibiotics.

Photodynamic treatment has also been used to treat age-related macular degeneration, a condition in which the macula, the portion of the eye responsible for detailed vision, begins to degrade.

PDT can be used to treat noncancerous illnesses such as urinary tract infections

• (UTIs) in some situations.
• Sinusitis that is acute.
• Gastritis.
• Infections of the cornea.
• The illness of the gums.

The Advantages of Photodynamic Therapy

It is non-invasive: One of the key advantages of photodynamic therapy is that it is non-invasive. Photodynamic therapy, unlike traditional therapies such as surgery or radiation therapy, does not include surgical incisions or scarring, making it a substantially more comfortable and convenient treatment choice.

It is more targeted: Photodynamic therapy is a highly targeted treatment that exclusively targets the damaged cells. This precision minimises damage to nearby healthy cells, decreasing side effects such as discomfort, swelling, and scarring, making it appropriate for persons with skin malignancies and precancers.

Patients having photodynamic therapy can usually resume their normal activities within a few days of treatment, as opposed to surgery or radiation therapy, which can take weeks or even months to recover from.

Photodynamic Therapy's Downfalls 

Despite the various benefits of photodynamic therapy, there are still several obstacles.

One of the most significant issues is the restricted depth of treatment. Because the light utilised cannot penetrate more than 1cm of tissue, PDT is currently limited to superficial tumours or locations accessible by endoscopes. As a result, PDT can only be used to treat surface-level tumours or skin diseases such as basal or squamous cell skin cancer. 

Light delivery system advancements, such as fibre optics or specialised light-emitting devices, are being developed to circumvent this barrier and extend PDT's reach to deeper tissues.

PDT treatment can produce transient photosensitivity for up to 48 hours, making patients more vulnerable to sunburn and other light-induced skin reactions like redness, swelling, and blistering. Patients are recommended to avoid direct sunlight after treatment and to utilise adequate protective measures.

PDT is not appropriate for many individuals, including those who are pregnant, have particular skin types, or have a history of photosensitivity. To discover whether PDT is appropriate for your specific disease, you must consult with a healthcare practitioner.

Depending on the severity of the problem, many sessions of PDT may be required to get the desired results. This can be time consuming and costly.

What are the Consequences of Photodynamic Therapy? 

While photodynamic treatment is usually regarded as safe and successful, it does, like any other medical technique, carry the risk of adverse consequences. PDT commonly causes the following adverse effects:

• Itching, stinging, swelling, and burning of the skin at or near the treatment site.
• A skin discoloration.
• Scales, crusts, or blisters appear on the treated area.
• Infections of the skin.

Although these adverse effects are often modest and temporary, they can become more severe if the treatment area is bigger.

Conclusion 

Photodynamic therapy is a cutting-edge medical treatment that has showed promise in the treatment of a variety of medical diseases such as skin cancer, acne, and age-related macular degeneration. The treatment's precision targets only the afflicted cells, causing minimum harm to neighbouring healthy cells, and its non-invasive nature makes it a comfortable and convenient option for patients. 

Photodynamic therapy's potential applications are anticipated to expand as research progresses and technology improves, making it an increasingly powerful tool in the battle against cancer.

For all matters concerning skin cancer checks and treatments offered by Skin Clinic Robina, contact us today.