Health Happening
The "No-Brainers" for Physical and Mental Health:
PDT is an oxidizing light therapy applied to an external lesion. It is FDA-approved for treatment of superficial or nodular basal cell carcinoma, including Bowen's Disease, with a cure rate of 70-90%.
An oxidizing, light-sensitizing agent, topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), is applied to the lesion, usually in a clinical setting. The 5-ALA is then activated by a strong blue light. Theoretically, this will selectively destroy BCCs while causing minimal damage to surrounding normal tissue.
Typically causes some redness, pain, and swelling. Patients must strictly avoid sunlight for at least 48 hours to prevent UV exposure further activating the medication and causing severe sunburn.
