Briarcliff Professional Plaza
Medical Dermatology Services
Photodynamic Therapy
Sunflower Dermatology offers photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat pre-cancers and certain skin cancers. PDT uses specialized drugs, called photosensitizing agents, and light, to kill precancerous, and cancerous skin cells. This procedure has been used to safely treat cancer for more than 100 years.
Depending on the body part to be treated, the photosensitizing agent (ALA or Levulan) is applied to the skin and left to sit for between 2-4 hours. Because this product is activated by sunlight, the patient is often asked to stay in our Riverside, MO office during this process. Each patient is placed under a blue light for 16 minutes and 40 seconds to commence the treatment. After photodynamic treatment , patients should avoid exposure to sunlight, and apply physical sun protection. Side effects of photodynamic therapy can include pain and swelling at the treatment sites. Advantages include: no long-term side effects; surgery is not required; pre-cancers, and cancers, will be prevented at the site of treatment.