Photodynamic Therapy Center - Penn Hills, PA
Penn Hills 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 Penn Hills * Margaret S Lally MD LLC  Bernard Palus MD  Martone & Martone MD  RJC Fox Chapel Dermatology  Dermatologic Care Inc  Judith I Arluk MD PC  Allegheny Dermatology Associates PC  UPP Dermatology Shadyside  UPP Dermatology Shadyside  UPP Dermatology Shadyside  Jeffrey G Weaver DO  UPP Dermatology Shadyside  Jeffrey G Weaver DO  UPP Dermatology Shadyside  John A Zitelli MD PC  John A Zitelli MD PC  Dermpath Diagnostics  Francis & Costa Associates In Dermatology Ltd  Francis & Costa Associates In Dermatology Ltd  UPMC Dermatology  Francis & Costa Associates In Dermatology Ltd  Kimberly A Rau MD  UPMC Dermatology  UPMC Dermatology  UPMC Dermatology  UPMC Dermatology  UPMC Dermatology  Dermatological Associates PC  Dermatological Associates PC  Dermatology Associates Of West County  Allegheny General Hospital Dermatology  Neil Niren MD  Alan W Solter MD  Mt Lebanon Dermatology PC  Mt Lebanon Dermatology PC  Mt Lebanon Dermatology PC  Alicia Baum MD  Debra T Abell MD & Associates PC  Premier Plastic Surgery PC  Vujevich Dermatology Associates PC  Vujevich Dermatology Associates PC  Vujevich Dermatology Associates PC  David Horvath MD  South Hills Dermatology  South Hills Dermatology  Sharon L Hrabovsky MD  Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Health Center  Nancy S House MD  Joseph B Bikowski MD  Paul J Ruschak MD  David Bradley Amos MD PhD  Westmoreland Dermatology Associates  Westmoreland Dermatology Associates  Westmoreland Dermatology Associates  Westmoreland Dermatology Associates  Timothy A Brown MD  Pucevich & Pucevich MDs  Drs Glasser & Pica  Drs Glasser & Pica  Mark P Seraly MD  Drs Cohen & Stephen  Drs Cohen & Stephen  Ann McCune MD  Robert Stiegel  Joel Siegel MD  Jean B Braun MD  Kim Hatcher MD  King-Maceyko Dermatology Associates  King-Maceyko Dermatology Associates  Tri-State Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center  William G Dunagin MD  Northwest Physicians Associates  Richard E Johnson MD  Blair Medical Associates  Altoona Dermatology Associates  Altoona Dermatology Associates Penn Hills, PennsylvaniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Penn Hills
Nearby Penn Hills Hospitals *HEALTHSOUTH Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital UPMC St Margaret VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh Main Campus Transitional Infant Care Hospital The Children's Institute UPMC Shadyside Western Pennsylvania Hospital UPMC Braddock The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC Presbyterian Magee-Womens Hospital UPMC Mercy UPMC Southside Allegheny General Hospital Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh North Shore Alle-Kiski Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital McKeesport UPMC McKeesport UPMC Passavant Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh North Campus Jefferson Regional Medical Center Ohio Valley General Hospital St Clair Hospital Westmoreland Excela Health Hospital at Jeannette Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital UPMC Passavant Cranberry Mayview State Hospital Southwood Psychiatric Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley Westmoreland Regional Hospital Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh Monongahela Valley Hospital Butler Memorial Hospital Canonsburg General Hospital ACMH Hospital Butler VA Medical Center Latrobe Area Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Greensburg Frick Hospital Kindred Hospital at Heritage Valley Medical Center of Beaver Torrance State Hospital The Washington Hospital Ellwood City 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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