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