Photodynamic Therapy Center - Palm Harbor, FL
Palm Harbor 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 Palm Harbor * Bay Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery PA  Bay Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery PA  Diagnostic Clinic Countryside Clearwater  Roger W Altman MD  Roger W Altman MD  Brummitte Dale Wilson MD & Associates  Robert P Albergo MD  Academic Alliance in Dermatology  Countryside Dermatology & Laser Center  Thomas J Sultenfuss MD  Clearwater Dermatology  Clearwater Dermatology  Phyllis K Murphy MD  Sam Stieglitz MD  George Pavlidakey MD  David H Nathan MD  Michael J Sakellarides MD  New Image Dermatology  New Image Dermatology  Bay Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery PA  Suncoast Skin Solutions Inc  Bay Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery PA  Dermatology Health Care  Center for Dermatology & Skin Surgery Inc  Center for Dermatology & Skin Surgery Inc  Citrus Park Dermatology PA  Academic Alliance in Dermatology  Academic Alliance in Dermatology  Academic Alliance in Dermatology  Academic Alliance in Dermatology  Mahoney Dermatology Specialists PA  John L Millns Jr. MD PA  John L Millns Jr. MD PA  Dermatology Clinic  Dermatology Clinic  Melanie R Haynes MD  John A Cottam MD  Bay Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery PA  Seth B Forman MD  Gary L Heller DO  Donald W Taylor MD  J Cedric Thornton MD  Michael A Scannon MD  Caban Skin Institute  Michael A Scannon MD  Michael A Scannon MD  Robert R Tawil MD  Colorado Health & Youth LLC  Castellano Specialty Center  Gulf Coast Dermatology  Luis T Menendez MD  C Lance Kane MD & Dirk W Suringa MD  Kathleen Leber MD  Center for Dermatology & Skin Surgery Inc  C Lance Kane MD & Dirk W Suringa MD  South Tampa Dermatology  SDM PLC  Bonita Drake MD  Henry E Wiley III MD PA  Visage Dermatology  John F Kirk MD  University of South Florida Physicians Group Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery  Peter A Donelan MD  Thomas N Trunnell MD  University of South Florida Physicians Group Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery  University of South Florida Physicians Group Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery  University of South Florida Physicians Group Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery  Moffitt Cancer Center  Center for Dermatology & Skin Surgery Inc  Arnold E Ison MD  Christopher G Nelson MD PA  Drs Hanno Rinker & Sotomayor  Drs Hanno Rinker & Sotomayor  Drs Hanno Rinker & Sotomayor  Drs Hanno Rinker & Sotomayor  Florida Medical Clinic PA  The Bowman Institute for Dermatologic Surgery  Florida Medical Clinic PA  Point of Care Clinic  Teresa P Brandt MD  Teresa P Brandt MD  Bay Dermatology  Prakit Jeerapaet MD  Nancy Simons Ling MD PA  Brandon Dermatology  Hernando Skin & Cancer Center PA  Caruso & Oriba MDs  Caruso & Oriba MDs  Watson Clinic LLP  Catherine A Clayton MD  Peter J Mattina Jr. MD  Jeffrey S Beard MD  Philip M Catalano MD  Riverside Medical Center  John W Demetree MD PA  Ted F Kadivar MD PA  Susan H Weinkle MD  Manatee Dermatology  Manatee Dermatology  University Park Dermatology Palm Harbor, FloridaUpcoming 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 Palm Harbor
Nearby Palm Harbor Hospitals *Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital Mease Dunedin Hospital Mease Countryside Hospital Morton Plant Hospital Windmoor Healthcare of Clearwater Community Hospital of New Port Richey HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Largo Town & Country Hospital Largo Medical Center Morton Plant North Bay Hospital Sun Coast Hospital University Community Hospital Carrollwood St Joseph's Children's Hospital of Tampa St Joseph's Hospital St Joseph's Women's Hospital Kindred Hospital Central Tampa Northside Hospital & Tampa Bay Heart Institute Shriners Hospital for Children Memorial Hospital of Tampa Kindred Hospital Tampa Bay Pines VA Healthcare System St Petersburg General Hospital James A Haley VA Medical Center University Community Hospital H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point Tampa General Hospital Edward White Hospital St Anthony's Hospital Palms of Pasadena Hospital Bayfront Medical Center All Children's Hospital Kindred Hospital St Petersburg Spring Hill Regional Hospital Brandon Regional Hospital Oak Hill Hospital South Bay Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Springhill Spring Brook 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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