Photodynamic Therapy Center - Merced, CA
Merced 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 Merced * Pilkington Dermatology  Pilkington Dermatology  Frank W Berry Jr. MD Inc  Gary L Wright MD  John J Willsen MD  Minarets Medical Group  Minarets Medical Group  Regina Hamlin MD  Jane F Kardashian MD  Kathleen L Behr MD  Mary Lindae MD  Dermatology and Surgical Group  Dermatology And Laser Center  Dermatology and Surgical Group  David R Taylor Jr. MD  Sutter Gould Medical Foundation  Edwin M Hamlin Jr. MD  Dermatology Affiliates  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Dermatology Dept  Shirley L Van MD  Gary Wagner MD  Central Valley Dermatology  Kingsburg Medical Center  Elizabeth M Kass MD  Stuart I Jacobs MD  Dermatology Medical Associates Inc  Dermatology Medical Associates Inc  Dermatology Medical Associates Inc  Abdalla Khourdaji MD  James D Kim MD  Roland Hart MD  Tracy Dermatology Medical Group  South Valley Dermatology  Bruce D Miller MD  AnewSkin Dermatology Merced, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Merced
Nearby Merced Hospitals *John C Fremont Healthcare District Mercy Medical Center Merced Chowchilla District Memorial Health District Tuolumne General Hospital Sonora Regional 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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Esophageal Cancer
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Lung Cancer
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Psoriasis
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Rosacea
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Sunscreen
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Warts (Common Warts)
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Cancer
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Actinic Keratosis
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Wrinkles
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Scars
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