Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive treatment for pre-cancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses, Bowen’s disease as well as certain types of skin cancer such as superficial basal cell carcinomas. Daylight PDT involves application of a chemical sunscreen followed by a light-sensitive prescription gel to the affected areas. The patient then remains outdoors for 2 hours. PDT can also be done in office with the application of a photosensitising gel to the affected area followed by LED light. Lesions become red with crusting and typically resolves over 1-4 weeks. Photodynamic therapy allows small abnormal areas of tissue to be treated without the need for surgery.