Log in Actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and other light-induced skin damages can be successfully treated with light systems for photodynamic therapy (PDT)
Actinic keratosis and other premalignant conditions are changes of the skin caused by many years of intense exposure to sunlight. These crusty, thick, often pigmented patches of skin commonly appear on exposed areas, for example in the face, on top of the head, forearms and on the back of hands. Precancers should be removed to avoid the development of skin cancer. A careful, highly effective treatment possibility is photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT even fights large-area premalignant conditions and early-stage cancer such as basal cell carcinomas – without surgery.
How does the photodynamic therapy with intense light work?
PDT involves three key components: light of an appropriate wavelength, oxygen and a light-activated substance, the so-called photosensitizer. The photosensitizer is applied to the skin and accumulates in tumor cells because of their higher metabolism. When the tumors are exposed to light of a specific wavelength, the photosensitizer reacts with oxygen in the tissue. This produces aggressive, toxic oxygen species that destroy the mutated skin cells. The tissue heals fast and scar free after the treatment and the mutated cells are replaced by new, healthy skin. The surrounding, healthy tissue is protected because the photosensitizer doesn’t accumulate in healthy skin.
Removal of changed tissue – protection of healthy skin
The high-power LED applicators of the platform system LEDA apply very intense light. Thus, the treatment is very effective, the treatment time is shortened and the number of treatments is reduced. PDT with LEDA has nearly no side effects. Light and photosensitizer are harmless and only affect the mutated cells. During the treatment, the skin may feel hot, but cold air cooling eases this discomfort. After the treatment, little crusts remain on the skin but fall off after only a couple of days and reveal new, healthy skin. Usually, one or two treatments at intervals of a few weeks suffice to completely remove the entire mutated tissue.
Our systems for photodynamic therapy (PDT)
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LEDA HP 415 blue
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LEDA HP/SCR 635 red
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