Photodynamic Therapy Center - Lawrence, MA
Lawrence 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 Lawrence * North Andover Dermatology  North Andover Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Rockoff Center  John M Tomich MD  Medical Centers of Greater Lowell  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Philip S Ellerin MD  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England  Michael T Rosenbaum MD  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Marilyn R Capek MD  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Kathleen M Greco MD  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Advanced Dermatology of Melrose  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Dermatology Associates of North Shore  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Ayer & Westford Dermatology  Charles A Swanson MD  Barry Paul MD  Barry Paul MD  Richard Brown MD  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  VonWeiss Dermatology Center  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Peter Muz MD  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Howard S Goldberg MD  Associates In Dermatology  Associates In Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of Waltham  MGH Dermatology  Stephen O Kovacs MD  Mark A Lewis MD  Dermatology Group  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Joseph C Kvedar MD  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  MGH Dermatology Surgical Unit  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Oon Tian Tan MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology Allergy & Immunology  Boston Center for Ambulatory Surgery  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  South Shore Skin Surgeons PC  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology Lawrence, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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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 Lawrence
Nearby Lawrence Hospitals *Lawrence General Hospital Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network Isham Health Center Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Haverhill Merrimack Valley Hospital Tewksbury Hospital Baldpate Hospital Saints Medical Center Lowell General Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center Hampstead Hospital Parkland Medical Center Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Anna Jaques Hospital Southern New Hampshire Medical Center Lahey Clinic Medical Center St Joseph Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Winchester Hospital North Shore Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Beverly Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital North Shore Children's Hospital Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Emerson Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital McLean Hospital Exeter Hospital Somerville Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center Mount Auburn Hospital Elliot Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Cambridge Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital M I T Medical Massachusetts General Hospital Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Arbour HRI Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Boston Manchester VA Medical Center Addison Gilbert Hospital Catholic Medical Center Tufts New England Medical Center Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital Boston Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Newton Wellesley Hospital Arbour Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Faulkner Hospital Bournewood Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Caritas Carney Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Portsmouth Regional Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Milton Hospital 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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