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Photodynamic Therapy

What is photodynamic therapy?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment that combines a light-activated drug called a photosensitising cream or photosensitising agent with a specific light source to target and destroy abnormal cells, including cancerous cells and pre-cancerous skin lesions, while preserving healthy tissue and minimising damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.

The photosensitiser is applied topically to the treatment area, depending on the condition being treated. Once absorbed, the photosensitizer produces reactive oxygen species when activated by visible light at a certain wavelength. This triggers cell death in the abnormal skin cells, while healthy cells and healthy tissue are largely left unaffected.

The photosensitising agents used in PDT tend to accumulate selectively in abnormal skin cells, which is why the treatment can treat cancer and pre-cancerous conditions so effectively without significant impact on the surrounding healthy tissue. Second generation photosensitisers have further improved the precision of PDT treatments, offering better outcomes across a range of skin conditions.

What can photodynamic therapy treat?

Photodynamic therapy for skin cancer treatment is suitable for a range of superficial skin cancers and skin concerns, including:

  • Solar keratoses (actinic keratoses) — pre-cancerous lesions caused by sun damage
  • Intraepidermal carcinomas (IECs) / Bowen’s disease — early-stage nonmelanoma skin cancer
  • Superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) — a common type of superficial skin cancers
  • Daylight PDT — a variation using natural sunlight rather than a controlled light device, suited to sun damaged skin and pre-cancerous lesions across larger areas

PDT is particularly well suited to cosmetically sensitive areas of the body, such as the face, where preserving healthy tissue and minimising scarring is important. The treated area generally heals well compared with more invasive alternatives.

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What are the advantages of photodynamic therapy?

PDT offers a number of advantages over traditional cancer treatment options such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. It is a targeted, minimally invasive treatment that can destroy cancerous and pre-cancerous abnormal cells while minimal damage is done to surrounding, healthy tissue.

No lengthy recovery time
Due to its minimally invasive treatment nature, PDT can be performed as an outpatient procedure and does not require a long recovery period. For most patients, this makes it far more convenient and cost-effective than surgical treatment.

A well-tolerated treatment option
Most people tolerate PDT treatments well. The most common side effects are temporary redness and swelling on the treatment site, which typically resolve within a few days to a week. After-effects are generally minimal and manageable.

Limited damage to healthy cells
The absorbed photosensitizers tend to accumulate in abnormal skin cells rather than healthy cells. This means light activation at a specific wavelength can selectively attack tumor cells and tumor cells in the affected area while causing minimal damage to healthy tissue nearby.

The treatment is repeatable
Because PDT is a well-managed and relatively simple procedure, the therapy can be repeated as many times as required. Most patients experience only mild discomfort, making it easy to follow a treatment plan to achieve optimal results.

More cost-effective than other treatment options
As PDT is less invasive than many other cancer treatment options and the cost reflects this. It can also help relieve symptoms and manage sun damaged skin before more intensive intervention is needed, potentially preventing new lesions from developing.