Post by jljenkyns on Sept 30, 2008 12:24:01 GMT 1
What Types of Cancer Is PDT Used for?
Photodynamic Therapy
What Is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)?
What Types of Cancer is PDT Used for?
PDT Using Porfimer Sodium
PDT Using Amniolevulinic Acid
PDT Using Methyl Ester of ALA
The Future of Photodynamic Therapy
References
PDT has been used in cancers to lengthen survival and improve quality of life. Although PDT is effective and causes no long-term problems, it is not widely used to treat cancer today. Still, it is offered in certain treatment centers. PDT is being studied in many clinical trials, and it is becoming more widely recognized as a valuable treatment option for localized cancers. Three photosensitizing agents are currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain cancers or precancerous conditions:
Porfimer sodium (Photofrin®)
Porfimer sodium is the most widely used and studied photosensitizer. It is activated by red light from a laser to treat patients with:
cancer of the esophagus (the swallowing tube)
to relieve symptoms that are caused by a tumor totally blocking the esophagus
to relieve symptoms that are caused by a tumor that partly blocks the esophagus and can't be treated with laser therapy
Barrett esophagus, a condition that may lead to esophageal cancer in patients who don't have surgery
certain skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, as well as squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen disease, and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCC)
a type of non-small cell lung cancer that is endobronchial (affecting the lining of the bronchi) and microinvasive (has minimal spread of cancer cells) in patients who can't have other types of treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy. PDT can be used to shrink tumors that are blocking the airway. This allows patients to breathe easier. some tumors of the girl thingy, vulva, and cervix that can be reached by the activating light
Aminolevulinic acid (ALA or Levulan®)
Aminolevulinic acid is a drug that is put directly on the skin. It is used to treat actinic keratosis (AK), a skin condition that can become cancer, and mycosis fungoides, a skin lymphoma. It is approved for use only on the face or scalp. A special blue light, rather than laser light, is used to activate this drug.
Photodynamic Therapy
What Is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)?
What Types of Cancer is PDT Used for?
PDT Using Porfimer Sodium
PDT Using Amniolevulinic Acid
PDT Using Methyl Ester of ALA
The Future of Photodynamic Therapy
References
PDT has been used in cancers to lengthen survival and improve quality of life. Although PDT is effective and causes no long-term problems, it is not widely used to treat cancer today. Still, it is offered in certain treatment centers. PDT is being studied in many clinical trials, and it is becoming more widely recognized as a valuable treatment option for localized cancers. Three photosensitizing agents are currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain cancers or precancerous conditions:
Porfimer sodium (Photofrin®)
Porfimer sodium is the most widely used and studied photosensitizer. It is activated by red light from a laser to treat patients with:
cancer of the esophagus (the swallowing tube)
to relieve symptoms that are caused by a tumor totally blocking the esophagus
to relieve symptoms that are caused by a tumor that partly blocks the esophagus and can't be treated with laser therapy
Barrett esophagus, a condition that may lead to esophageal cancer in patients who don't have surgery
certain skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, as well as squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen disease, and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCC)
a type of non-small cell lung cancer that is endobronchial (affecting the lining of the bronchi) and microinvasive (has minimal spread of cancer cells) in patients who can't have other types of treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy. PDT can be used to shrink tumors that are blocking the airway. This allows patients to breathe easier. some tumors of the girl thingy, vulva, and cervix that can be reached by the activating light
Aminolevulinic acid (ALA or Levulan®)
Aminolevulinic acid is a drug that is put directly on the skin. It is used to treat actinic keratosis (AK), a skin condition that can become cancer, and mycosis fungoides, a skin lymphoma. It is approved for use only on the face or scalp. A special blue light, rather than laser light, is used to activate this drug.