Photodynamic therapy

What is photodynamic therapy?

Phototherapy is carried out in two stages. In the first stage, special chemical drugs that are sensitive to light called photosensitizing agents are given. These drugs are given orally or by intravenous injection of the drug into the bloodstream or by applying it locally to the skin (ointments) as in cases of management skin lesions;

In the second stage, a light source with a specific wavelength is shed on the area to be treated. The shining light activates the photosensitive substance that was previously given, which provokes a reaction that leads to the destruction of cells in that area.

The photosensitizing agents are more absorbed by the pathological cells, and this increases the effectiveness and quality of the treatment by killing the abnormal cells more.

In other words, and as a summary of the above, light-sensitive agents are substances that do not cause any harm if they are not activated by light of a certain wavelength (usually laser), when they are illuminated, they activate and provoke a reaction that leads to the destruction of cells in that area.

Photodynamic therapy can be used to manage a number of skin lesions and some types of cancer in addition to some eye diseases. We mention the most important cases treated by photodynamic therapy:

• Acne (acne) and other skin diseases such as psoriasis
• Precancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses
• Malignant skin tumors
• esophageal cancer o Mary Barrett (a precancerous condition)
• Pancreas cancer and bile duct cancer
• Lung Cancer non-small cell
• Some blisters caused by certain viral infections
• Age-related macular degeneration in the eye

Advantages of photodynamic therapy

• Minimally invasive compared to other treatment methods such as surgery
• Relatively safe and does not have negative long-term effects if administered correctly
• Minimize damage to normal cells as pathological cells absorb photosensitive drugs more than normal cells
• The ability to direct light with high accuracy towards the area to be treated, thus avoiding damage to neighboring cells
• Its application takes a short period (10 to 45 minutes) and can often be performed on an outpatient basis
• unlike RadiotherapyLight energy therapy can be repeated in the same area.
• Photodynamic therapy does not cause scarring in the treated areas
• Relatively low cost

Preparation before a photodynamic session

If you are recommended by your doctor for photodynamic therapy to manage or remove a skin lesion, here are some tips to follow.

On the day the phototherapy session is planned, you must come to the hospital or clinic with natural skin free of moisturizers, cosmetics and sunscreens in the area to be treated.

If there is thick hair in the affected area, the hair must be shaved at least two days before the treatment session.

It is preferable to bring clothing that protects against exposure to the sun, such as sunglasses, hats, and hand palms, because exposure to intense light after the treatment session may cause side effects such as swelling and redness.

It is preferable to stop applying topical vitamin A preparations a week before the photodynamic treatment procedure.

The photosensitizing drug is given to you either by injection into a vein or by mouth, or by applying the drug topically in the form of an ointment. The method of administration depends on the area to be treated.

After taking the photosensitizer, you can go home for a period determined by the doctor to allow the photosensitizer to collect more in the abnormal cells, the time between giving the photosensitizing drug and applying the phototherapy depends on the type of substance given.

After the end of the period specified by the doctor, which may take from a few hours to several days, return to the clinic to apply phototherapy, the doctor shines light with a specific wavelength on the area to be treated for 10 to 45 minutes in order to activate the photosensitive drugs that were given In advance, stimulating a reaction that leads to the destruction of abnormal cells.

In cases of photodynamic therapy for lung cancer or esophageal cancer, the light is illuminated through the use of endoscopes as a bronchoscope or via upper GI endoscopy.

Local anesthesia may be applied to the area to be treated to help ease the procedure and, in some cases, avoid pain.

After PDT is applied to the skin, the treated area is covered with a protective bandage for a period of time specified by your doctor.

Avoid rubbing or scratching the treated skin area and try to keep it as dry as possible.

Once your doctor allows you to remove the dressing, you can wash the treated area and shower normally.

It is necessary to avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight after the treatment session, because the treated area is very sensitive to light, so the patient is advised to stay at home during the recovery period and wear sun-protective clothing or a protective face mask.

The doctor will set an appointment for you to review after the treatment session, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and determine whether there is a need to repeat the operation again.

Redness and swelling around the treated area may appear for a temporary period after the treatment and it will disappear automatically after a short period.

The treated area often takes about 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover, the length of which depends on the area being treated and its size.

Photodynamic therapy is a highly effective and safe treatment technique, but while this technique is safe, no medical procedure is without the possibility of side effects including:

• A burning sensation in the treated area that goes away automatically after a period of time
• Extreme sensitivity to light, so avoid exposure to intense light during the recovery period
• Redness and swelling in the treated area, and crusts or blisters may appear in that area
• Hair loss in the treatment area
• skin infections
• If phototherapy is used on the esophagus, one of the following symptoms may be dysphagia, nausea, upper GI haemorrhage.

Why should I choose treatment in Turkey?