TREATMENTS
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
PDT uses light-activated medication to treat solar keratoses and selected superficial skin cancers.
- Treats individual lesions or larger areas
- Non-surgical treatment option
- Useful when surgery is unsuitable
- Generally provides a good cosmetic result
What is photodynamic therapy?
PDT combines a light-sensitive cream with light to target abnormal cells. After the cream has been left on the treatment area for a prescribed period, the light activates it and produces a reaction that damages the abnormal cells.
It may be used for solar keratoses, sun-damaged skin, selected superficial basal cell carcinomas and Bowen’s disease (SCC in situ). It is not a general treatment for invasive SCC.
Suitability depends on clinical assessment, and pathology where needed. PDT often gives a good cosmetic result, but clearance is not guaranteed and review is important.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Spot Check Clinic patient before and after photodynamic therapy for basal cell carcinoma of the nose
Treatment plan and recovery
PDT can treat an individual lesion or a wider field of sun damage. At Spot Check, non-melanoma skin cancer treatment is planned as two full-price sessions; field treatment is planned as one full-price session. Your clinician will confirm the preparation, schedule and review.
It avoids a surgical wound, but treatment can be painful and cause redness, crusting and soreness. Your clinician will explain the likely benefits, limitations and recovery for your plan.
Conditions treated
How to prepare
Follow the preparation instructions provided for your treatment plan. Your clinician will confirm which steps apply and when to start.
How it’s done
- A nurse or therapist prepares the area to be treated by cleaning it with alcohol or acetone, and sometimes by microneedling (i.e. making many small punctures in the skin using an electronic device to allow the treatment cream to penetrate the skin better).
- They then apply a thick layer of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) cream to the area to be treated. The cream is covered with a dressing or plastic film and left on the skin for 1-3 hours.
- After this period, the ALA cream is cleaned off the skin’s surface.
- ALA which has penetrated into skin cancer or sun-damaged cells is then activated by light. A combination of red low level light for approximately 15 minutes and/or intense pulsed light may be used.
- Following this, the nurse or dermal therapist will apply sunscreen and/or a cooling gel to the treated area. They may also cover it with a dressing, which should be left in place for 2-3 days.
After treatment
Attend the review arranged by your doctor so the treated area can be examined and clearance assessed. Skin-cancer treatment includes a second planned application; a persistent or recurrent lesion may need biopsy or another treatment. The clinic will confirm your session and review dates.
Follow our PDT aftercare instructions and contact the clinic if you are concerned about healing.
Side effects and problems
Some people find PDT treatment painful. This can be treated with a cold compress or spray or medication administered at the time of treatment. It is unusual for strong pain to persist after treatment, but the skin may sting or itch and there is often redness or peeling for several days. Serious complications of PDT are rare.
Fees
Assessment and treatment are charged separately. Non-melanoma skin cancer treatment is charged as two full-price PDT sessions; field treatment is charged as one full-price session. See assessment fees and non-surgical treatment fees. Your doctor will explain the proposed cost before treatment.
Discuss whether PDT is suitable
A doctor assesses your skin and explains the treatment options before a procedure is booked.
Book a skin condition assessment