Photodynamic Therapy Center - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta Dermatologist Doctors for Photodynamic TherapyType of Physician: Dermatologist What is a Dermatologist? A certification by the Board of Dermatology; practitioners treat pediatric and adult patients with disorders of the skin, mouth, hair and nails as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. They also have expertise in the care of normal skin, the prevention of skin diseases and cancers, and in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars. Specialty: Dermatology Common Name: Skin Doctor Dermatologist Doctors in La Quinta * Medical and Skin Spa  Desert Dermatology Medical Associates  West Dermatology Medical Group  West Dermatology Medical Group  Milligan Dermatology  Milligan Dermatology  Desert Oasis Specialty Group  West Dermatology Medical Group  Donald R Scott MD  Hemet Dermatology  Stephen Hegedus MD & Robert Harford MD  Stephen Hegedus MD & Robert Harford MD  Hemet Dermatology  Banning Specialty Care Center  Beaver Medical Group Yucaipa Valley  Beach Cities Dermatology  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Richard M Matkaluk MD  Randy J Jacobs MD  Randy J Jacobs MD  West Dermatology Medical Group  Rady Childrens Hospital & Med Center Pediatric & Adolescent Dermatology  Rady Childrens Hospital & Med Center Pediatric & Adolescent Dermatology  Rady Childrens Hospital & Med Center Pediatric & Adolescent Dermatology  Ingrid E Trenkle MD  High Desert Skin Center  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Beaver Medical Group Highland  Loma Linda Dermatology Medical Group  Skin & Laser Treatment  Bernardo Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Bernardo Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Bernardo Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Center For Health Care  Bernardo Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Bernardo Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Bernardo Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Rancho Bernardo  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Rancho Bernardo  Loma Linda Dermatology Medical Group  Loma Linda Dermatology Medical Group  Loma Linda Dermatology Medical Group  Loma Linda Dermatology Medical Group  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines Dermatology  Doyle D Hansen MD  William Resh MD  William Resh MD  Jeffrey Rattet MD  West Dermatology Medical Group  East County Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatology Specialists Inc  Sorin Eremia MD  Riverside Medical Clinic  Elissa Gropen MD  Scripps Clinic Rancho San Diego  Scripps Clinic Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery  Grossmont & Uptown Dermatology  Grossmont & Uptown Dermatology  Grossmont & Uptown Dermatology  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Mira Mesa East  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Mira Mesa East  SkinCare Physicians & Surgeons Inc  Bari B Cunningham MD  North Coast Dermatology Medical Associates  North Coast Dermatology Medical Associates  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Dermatologist Medical Group of North County  Don P Setliff MD  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group La Mesa West  Robert A Ginsberg MD  William L Heimer II MD  Harrison R McDonald MD  Dr. Wm Heimer  Dermatology & Laser Center of San Diego  Steven D Emmet MD  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Carmel Del Mar Dermatology  Alvarado Dermatology Clinic  Scripps Clinic Carmel Specialites  Scripps Clinic Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery  Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines Dermatology  Therapeutics Inc La Quinta, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Photodynamic TherapyRead the Photodynamic Therapy article » What is photodynamic therapy?Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that uses a photosensitizing drug (a drug that becomes activated by light exposure) and a light source to activate the applied drug. The result is an activated oxygen molecule that can destroy nearby cells. Precancerous cells and certain types of cancer cells can be treated this way. The procedure is easily performed in a physician's office or outpatient setting. PDT essentially has three steps. First, a light-sensitizing liquid, cream, or intravenous drug (photosensitizer) is applied or administered. Second, there is an incubation period of minutes to days. Finally, the target tissue is then exposed to a specific wavelength of light that then activates the photosensitizing medication. Steps:
Although first used in the early 1900s, PDT in the modern sense is a fairly new, evolving science. Current PDT involves a variety of incubation times for the light-sensitizing drug and a variety of light sources depending on the target tissue. The basic premise of PDT is selective tissue destruction. Although the photosensitizer may be absorbed all over by many cells, atypical or cancerous cells take up more of the drug and retain the drug for a longer duration than normal tissues. At present, the primary limitation of available PDT techniques is the depth of penetration of the light and ability to target cells within at most 1/3 of an inch (approximately 1 cm) of the light source. Therefore, tumors or atypical growths must be close to the surface of the skin or treatment surface for PDT to work. PDT is currently used in a number of medical fields including oncology (cancer), dermatology (skin), and cosmetic surgery. In oncology, it is FDA approved for non-small cell lung cancer, esoph... Recommended Reading Related to Photodynamic TherapyWhat is an actinic keratosis, and what does it look like?An actinic keratosis (AK), also known as a solar keratosis, is a small, rough spot occurring on skin that has been chronically exposed to the sun. Actinic keratoses generally measure in size between 2-6 millimeters in diameter (between the size of a pencil point and that of an eraser). They are usually reddish in color, with a rough texture and often have a white or yellowish scale on top. Actinic keratosis often occurs against a background of sun damage, including sallowness, wrinkles, and superficial blood vessels. In addition to feeling rough, actinic keratoses may feel sore or painful when fingers or clothing rub against them. Specialized forms of actinic keratoses include cutaneous horns, in which the skin protrudes in a thick, hornlike manner, and actinic cheilitis, which refers to scaling and roughness of the lower lip and blurring of the border of the lip and adjacent ski... Other Related Photodynamic Therapy ArticlesEmergency Contact for La Quinta
Nearby La Quinta Hospitals *John F Kennedy Memorial Hospital Eisenhower Medical Center Desert Regional Medical Center Hi-Desert Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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