Photodynamische Therapie und Diagnostik

Photodynamic therapy, in short PDT is an option for the therapy of various, superficial skin cancers and their precursors: basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratoses.

Also, PDT can be used in aesthetic medicine, in UV-damaged skin and inflammatory forms of acne. 

Also, PDT can be used to confirm a diagnosis made by eye. Often it can avoid a biopsy from beeing performed.

PDT needs a substance to penetrate into the cancerous cells, enhance their sensibility to light and be specifically distroyed by light.

The substance that increases the light-sensibility of cells is called d-Aminolävulinic acid. It is also present in our body to built up hemoglobine. Cancerous cells transform it into protoporphyrin IX, which is an intermediate of hemoglobin also and which is very light-sensitive.

protoporphyrin IX has tow properties:

• It fluoresces red when looked at in a blue light - hence this has diagnostic value
• Upon exposure to blue, red or yellow light it develops so called triplet –oxygen, which is toxic for the cells. They are quickly replaced by normal cells during the following week. This effect is the basis for the therapeutic action of PDT

The light that is used is simple, visible light emmited from diodes or a laser. It does not cause any harm to your skin.

PDT is a highly specific therapy. If applied in the right setting the cosmetic result is unparalleled by other methods.