Photodynamic Therapy Index

Featured: Photodynamic Therapy Main Article

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a procedure that treats precancerous cells, in addition to other types of cancer cells. The medical treatment does this with the help of a photosensitizing drug and a light source that activates the applied drug, destroying cancer cells. PDT is approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and Barrett's esophagus. It's used to treat actinic keratosis, as well as acne, rosacea, skin cancer, sun damage, oily skin, wrinkles, warts, psoriasis, and enlarged sebaceous glands.

Patient Discussions - Viewers share their comments

Medications

    Related Diseases & Conditions

    • Lung Cancer Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke. Lung...learn more »
      In This Article
      Lung Cancer Article
      • Lung cancer facts
      • What is lung cancer?
      • How common is lung cancer?
      • What causes lung cancer?
      • What are the types of lung cancer?
      • What are lung cancer symptoms and signs?
      • How is lung cancer diagnosed?
      • What is staging of lung cancer?
      • What is the treatment for lung cancer?
      • What is the prognosis (outcome) of lung cancer?
      • How can lung cancer be prevented?
    • Warts (Common Warts) Common warts are skin growths causes by the human papillomavirus. There are many types of warts, including plantar warts, common...learn more »
      In This Article
      Warts (Common Warts) Article
      • Wart facts
      • What are common warts?
      • What are some types of common warts?
      • What is the treatment for common warts?
      • Is using over-the-counter wart treatments safe?
      • Are wart treatments effective?
      • What if wart removal treatments fail?
    • Rosacea Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose. In addition to inflammation of...learn more »
      In This Article
      Rosacea Article
      • Rosacea facts
      • What is rosacea? Is rosacea contagious?
      • Is rosacea like acne?
      • What are causes and risk factors of rosacea?
      • What are rosacea symptoms and signs?
      • How is rosacea diagnosed?
      • What happens to the nose and the eyes?
      • How is rosacea cured?
      • What about using acne medicine?
      • What is the treatment for rosacea?
      • What should be avoided? What foods are good for rosacea?
      • What natural remedies can help rosacea?
      • Does rosacea get worse with age?
      • How should I care for the skin of my face?
      • How are the telangiectasias (the red lines) treated?
      • How is a rhinophyma (the W.C. Fields nose) treated?
      • What effect may rosacea have on my life?
      • Where can people get more information about rosacea?
    • Psoriasis Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that may cause large plaques of red, raised skin, flakes of dry skin, and skin scales....learn more »
      In This Article
      Psoriasis Article
      • Psoriasis facts
      • What is psoriasis?
      • What causes psoriasis?
      • What does psoriasis look like? What are psoriasis symptoms and signs?
      • Can psoriasis affect my joints?
      • How is psoriasis diagnosed?
      • Can psoriasis affect only my nails?
      • How many people have psoriasis?
      • Is psoriasis curable?
      • Is psoriasis contagious?
      • Can I transmit the gene for psoriasis to my children?
      • What kind of doctor treats psoriasis?
      • What is the treatment for psoriasis?
      • What creams, lotions, and home remedies are available for psoriasis?
      • What oral medications are available for psoriasis?
      • What injections or infusions are available for psoriasis?
      • What about light therapy for psoriasis?
      • Where can I get more information on psoriasis?
      • Is there a national psoriasis support group?
      • What is my long-term prognosis with psoriasis? What are complications of psoriasis?
    • Keloid A keloid is a scar that doesn't know when to stop. When the cells keep on reproducing, the result is an overgrown (hypertrophic)...learn more »
      In This Article
      Keloid Article
      • What is a keloid?
      • What is the difference between a keloid and a hypertrophic scar?
      • What are keloid symptoms and signs?
      • What is the cause of keloids?
      • Which people are most susceptible to keloids?
      • In which area of the body are keloids most likely to appear?
      • Keloids and piercing
      • Is keloid prevention possible?
      • Is keloid removal necessary?
      • What are the treatments for keloids?
    • Keratosis Pilaris Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common skin disorder in which small white or red bumps appear around hair follicles on the upper...learn more »
      In This Article
      Keratosis Pilaris Article
      • Keratosis pilaris facts
      • What is keratosis pilaris (KP)?
      • Who gets keratosis pilaris?
      • What is the prognosis of patients with keratosis pilaris?
      • Does keratosis pilaris affect the entire body?
      • What does keratosis pilaris look like?
      • What causes keratosis pilaris?
      • How is keratosis pilaris diagnosed?
      • Is keratosis pilaris curable?
      • Is keratosis pilaris contagious?
      • What are possible complications of keratosis pilaris?
      • Does diet have anything to do with keratosis pilaris?
      • What is the treatment for keratosis pilaris?
      • Keratosis pilaris "do's"
      • Keratosis pilaris "don'ts"

Related FAQs, Doctor's & Expert's Views

Tools & References


Terms related to Photodynamic Therapy:

  • Blue Light Therapy
  • PDT