PDT stands for photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic Therapy is a new, effective treatment for certain types of pre-cancerous lesions of the skin or skin cancer (actinic keratoses or commonly called sun spots and Bowen’s disease) and non-melanoma skin cancers called basal cell carcinoma.
Photodynamic Therapy uses a different approach to the treatment of actinic keratoses and
basal cell carcinoma in comparison to conventional methods. No surgery is involved. It is a
simple, non-invasive treatment that consists of the application of Metvix cream to the
lesion(s) followed by exposure to light from the specifically designed Aktilite® lamp (red
light source). The abnormal cells in the lesions absorb the active ingredient from the
Metvix cream. When exposed to the light from the Aktilite® lamp, a chemical reaction occurs
which destroys only the lesion; healthy skin surrounding the lesion is not affected and left
unharmed.
The Photodynamic Therapy system is used widely in Europe and Australia. It is now available at the Specialist Skin Clinic and Associates.
This treatment combines a high rate of efficacy with a good cosmetic outcome. It offers a good alternative treatment to traditional surgery. While it does not replace surgery in the treatment of Bowen’s disease and superficial basal cell carcinoma, it offers an alternative for patients who are unsuitable or not keen on surgery and is a good option for treatment of lesions on difficult sites like the face and ears or when a good cosmetic outcome is of great concern.
Photodynamic Therapy may be a good fix – call +65 6734 1411 to enquire today.
Treatment with Photodynamic Therapy is carried out by your dermatologist and it involves 3 simple steps. You may have more than one lesion treated at one time.
As a safety precaution, you will be given goggles to wear during the light treatment to protect your eyes from the intense light.
You may experience a stinging or burning sensation during the light exposure. If you become too uncomfortable, your doctor can pause the light treatment for a short while if necessary.
Painful and burning sensations at the treatment site during and after light exposure are the most common side effects and may last for few hours.
After your treatment, you are advised to keep the area clean. It is also recommended that you
protect the treated skin from direct sun for 2 days.
Mild to moderate redness, swelling and inflammation are normal after-treatment responses which
usually resolve soon after treatment but may persist for 1 – 2 weeks.
Metvix is selective for abnormal cells leaving the surrounding healthy skin unharmed. This means that it has a very low potential for causing scarring compared with many other treatments.
For treatment of pre-cancerous skin lesions (actinic keratoses), 1 session of Photodynamic Therapy should be applied. For treatment of basal cell carcinoma and Bowen’s disease 2 sessions with an interval of 1 week in between sessions are needed.
1 Grange Road #06-04, Orchard Building, Singapore 239693
Main Line: (65) 6734 1411 Fax: (65) 6235 5900 Email: enquiry@specialistskin.com.sg
Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm Sat: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Closed on Sundays
