Photodynamic Therapy Center - Pleasanton, CA
Pleasanton 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 Pleasanton * Allergy & Dermatology Clinic  Allergy & Dermatology Clinic  Dean Anthony MD  Pacific Dermatology  Pacific Dermatology  William Lide MD  Kaiser Permanente Pleasanton Medical Offices  Robert Greenberg MD  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Dermatology in Fremont  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Dermatology in Fremont  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Dermatology in Fremont  Affiliates In Dermatology  Jeffrey Riopelle MD & Sean Feezell DO  Advanced Dermatology Care  Fremont Dermatology  Fremont Dermatology  Fremont Dermatology  Advanced Laser Skin Care Ctr  Marilyn S Kwolek MD  Cosmetic Dermatology Center  Adam Wallach MD  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Herbert A Holman MD  William C Chow DO & John Doux MD  William C Chow DO & John Doux MD  Alexander Lewis MD  An Tranvan MD  Jeffrey T Bortz MD  Jerome R Potozkin MD  Edward Becker MD  Edward Becker MD  A Premier Skin Care and Laser Center  Park Shadelands Medical Offices  Park Shadelands Medical Offices  Park Shadelands Medical Offices  Balfour Dermatology & Day Spa Inc  Avakoff Billings Crain & Fung  Avakoff Billings Crain & Fung  Ervin H Epstein Jr. MD  Anthony J Badame MD  Diablo Dermatology & Vein Specialists  Marie B Britz MD  Mychael Luu MD  Robert Melnikoff MD & Walter Wood MD  Allergy & Dermatology Medical Clinic  Robert Melnikoff MD & Walter Wood MD  Bernard Recht MD  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Hong T N Do MD  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Azucena L Arguelles MD  Jean Gordon MD PhD  Elizabeth A Abel MD  California Skin Institute  Elizabeth A Abel MD  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Curtis A Raskin MD Inc  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Aaron M Strefling MD  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Gould Dermatology Group  Gould Dermatology Group  Gould Dermatology Group  Berman Skin Institute  Recia Blumenkranz MD  Dermatology Medical Group & Laser Center Inc  Dermatology Medical Group & Laser Center Inc  Dermatology Medical Group & Laser Center Inc  Family Dermatology  Menlo Medical Clinic  Lyle Rausch MD Pleasanton, 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 Pleasanton
Nearby Pleasanton Hospitals *ValleyCare Health System Pleasanton Valley Memorial Hospital Livermore Division of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System Washington Hospital Fremont Hospital San Ramon Regional Medical Center St Rose Hospital Eden Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Hayward Medical Center Alameda County Medical Center Fairmont Campus John George Psychiatric Pavilion Kindred Hospital San Francisco Bay Area San Leandro Hospital Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek Campus Regional Medical Center of San Jose Menlo Park Surgical Hospital Alameda County Medical Center Highland Campus Alameda Hospital Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford Hospital & Clinics El Camino Hospital Sutter Delta Medical Center VA Palo Alto Health Care System O'Connor Hospital Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Oakland Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus Sequoia Hospital Santa Clara Valley Medical Center John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus John Muir Behavioral Health Center San Mateo Medical Center Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Alta Bates Campus Sutter Tracy Community Hospital Mills Hospital Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus VA Northern CA Healthcare System at Martinez Contra Costa Regional Medical Center El Camino Hospital of Los Gatos Mills-Peninsula Health Services Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose Good Samaritan Hospital Mission Oaks Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center San Francisco General Hospital St Luke's Hospital Chinese Hospital Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center Saint Francis Memorial Hospital California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Doctor's Medical Center San Pablo St Mary's Medical Center UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Seton Medical Center California Pacific Medical Center East Campus California Pacific Medical Center California Campus 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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