Photodynamic Therapy Center - Petaluma, CA
Petaluma 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 Petaluma * Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Novato Dermatology Associates  Novato Dermatology Associates  Joseph Greenberg MD  Richard B Odom MD  Sonoma Skin  Kaiser Foundation Hospital  Joseph Greenberg MD  Dermatology Consultants of Marin  Dermatology Consultants of Marin  Dermatology Consultants of Marin  Marin Dermatology Associates  Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Institute  Cheryl Tanasovich MD  Stephen D Schwartz MD  Kenneth M Stein MD  R Makala Anders MD  Marek Lorenc MD  Julie A Winfield MD  Skintique  Cynthia S Bailey MD  Cynthia S Bailey MD  Laub Dermatology & Aesthetics  Eye Associates of Sebastopol  Lewis H May II MD  Robert A Davis MD  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Diane S Silver MD  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  N Charles Diakon MD  Carol Isaacs MD  Solano Dermatology Associates  Solano Dermatology Associates  Solano Dermatology Associates  Solano Dermatology Associates  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology Dept  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology Dept  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology Dept  James McCole MD  Advanced Dermatology Care  Kathy Fang MD PhD  Camilla McCalmont MD  Camilla McCalmont MD  UCSF VA Medical Center  VA Medical Center  Dermatology Center  Gerald A Gellin MD  Lawrence S Kaminsky MD  Drs Manber & Pollat  Drs Manber & Pollat  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Quita V Cruciger MD  Drs Fields & Narurkar  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Drs Fields & Narurkar  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Medical Center Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF The Comprehensive Cancer Center  Kathleen M Welsh MD  Siong Chiaun Lee MD  Ronald R Chappler MD  Michael K Burns MD  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Union Square Dermatology  David J MacGregor MD  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Union Square Dermatology  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco  Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco  San Francisco Dermatology Inc  Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco  William W Kwan MD  Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco  San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center  San Francisco Dermatology Inc Petaluma, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Petaluma
Nearby Petaluma Hospitals *Petaluma Valley Hospital Novato Community Hospital Sonoma Valley Hospital Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center Kentfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospital Marin General Hospital Napa State Hospital Queen of the Valley Medical Center Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Main Campus Palm Drive Hospital Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center St Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health Sutter Solano Medical Center Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa Chanate Campus Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center Doctor's Medical Center San Pablo St Helena Hospital Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Telecare Solano Psychiatric Health Facility Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus San Francisco VA Medical Center California Pacific Medical Center California Campus California Pacific Medical Center East Campus California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus Chinese Hospital UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion VA Northern CA Healthcare System at Martinez Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Alta Bates Campus Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center Saint Francis Memorial Hospital NorthBay Medical Center St Mary's Medical Center Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Oakland Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center San Francisco General Hospital St Luke's Hospital John Muir Behavioral Health Center Alameda County Medical Center Highland Campus John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus Healdsburg District Hospital Alameda 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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Acne (Pimples)
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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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Barrett's Esophagus
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Sunscreen
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Warts (Common Warts)
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Keloid
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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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