Photodynamic Therapy Center - Leominster, MA
Leominster 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 Leominster * Dermatology Associates of Worcester County  Ayer & Westford Dermatology  Peter Muz MD  J Lawrence Dohan MD  Kuchnir Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  Advanced Dermatology  Gerald C Gladstone MD  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Kuchnir Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery  Karen Rothman MD  Daniel E Viders MD PC  Dermatology Associates of Concord  David Rosenthal MD  Vicki A Chavin MD  Monika Berg MD  Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England  Michael T Rosenbaum MD  Metro-West Dermatology  Lawrence E Yellen MD  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Linda M Ameri MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Medical Centers of Greater Lowell  Dawn X Ding MD PC  Jay Goldstein MD  Fallon Meidcal Center Dermatology  Steven P Smith MD  Dermatology Specialists of Wellesley  Stephen V Tang MD  Dermatology and Skin Care Associates  Dermatology and Skin Care Associates  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Dermatology Associates of Waltham  Krauss Dermatology  Krauss Dermatology  Krauss Dermatology  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Partners  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Partners  Dermatology Partners  Paul Birnbaum MD  Jay L Cohen MD  Francis Renna MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  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  Philip S Ellerin MD  Advanced Dermatology of Melrose  Dermatology Associates  Lisa Cohen MD  Integrative Dermatology  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Associates In Dermatology  Associates In Dermatology  Dedham Medical Associates  Barry Paul MD  Dedham Medical Associates  Barry Paul MD  Dedham Medical Associates  John M Tomich MD  Rockoff Center  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  The Dermatology & Laser Center  Skincare Physicians  Northeast Dermatology  Skincare Physicians  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology Leominster, 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 Leominster
Nearby Leominster Hospitals *HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus Health Alliance Burbank Hospital UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center Heywood Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus Westborough State Hospital Adcare Hospital of Worcester Worcester State Hospital UMass Memorial Medical Center Memorial Campus St Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough St Joseph Hospital Emerson Hospital Southern New Hampshire Medical Center HC Solomon Mental Health Center Lowell General Hospital Athol Memorial Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Saints Medical Center Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Monadnock Community Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Tewksbury Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Milford Regional Medical Center Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center McLean Hospital HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Isham Health Center Winchester Hospital Parkland Medical Center Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Lawrence General Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network Franciscan Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Boston Lawrence Memorial Hospital Harrington Memorial Hospital Somerville Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Arbour HRI Hospital Bournewood Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Cambridge Hospital Westwood Lodge 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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