Photodynamic Therapy Center - Lowell, MA
Lowell 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 Lowell * Medical Centers of Greater Lowell  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England  Michael T Rosenbaum MD  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Ayer & Westford Dermatology  Rockoff Center  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  John M Tomich MD  North Andover Dermatology  North Andover Dermatology  Philip S Ellerin 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  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Peter Muz MD  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group 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  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Barry Paul MD  Barry Paul MD  Dermatology Associates of Waltham  Richard Brown MD  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Advanced Dermatology of Melrose  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Associates In Dermatology  Associates In Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Paul Birnbaum MD  Jay L Cohen MD  Francis Renna MD  Krauss Dermatology  Krauss Dermatology  Krauss Dermatology  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Partners  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Partners  Dermatology Partners  Integrative Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Steven P Smith MD  Dermatology Specialists of Wellesley  Stephen V Tang MD  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Stephen O Kovacs MD  Dermatology and Skin Care Associates  Dermatology and Skin Care Associates  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Lisa Cohen MD  The Dermatology & Laser Center  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology Lowell, 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 Lowell
Nearby Lowell Hospitals *Saints Medical Center Lowell General Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center Tewksbury Hospital Isham Health Center Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Lawrence General Hospital Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network Southern New Hampshire Medical Center St Joseph Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Emerson Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Haverhill Merrimack Valley Hospital Winchester Hospital Baldpate Hospital Parkland Medical Center Hampstead Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital McLean Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital North Shore Medical Center Somerville Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Mount Auburn Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Cambridge Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston Arbour HRI Hospital North Shore Children's Hospital Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Beverly Hospital M I T Medical Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus Tufts New England Medical Center Elliot Hospital New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Anna Jaques Hospital UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital Boston Medical Center Arbour Hospital Health Alliance Burbank Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Bournewood Hospital Catholic Medical Center MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Faulkner Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Manchester VA Medical Center Massachusetts Mental Health Center VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Westborough State 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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