Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy
: Treatment that destroys cancer cells with lasers and drugs that become active when exposed to light.

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a treatment for some types of superficial cancers. A photosensitizing agent is injected into the bloodstream and remains in cancer cells for a longer time than in normal cells. Exposure to laser radiation produces an active form of oxygen that destroys the treated cancer cells. The laser radiation can be directed through a fibreoptic bronchoscope into the airways, through a gastroscope into the oesophagus, or through a cystoscope into the bladder. PDT causes minimal damage to healthy tissue, but as it cannot pass through more than about 3 cm of tissue, it is restricted to treating tumours on or just under the skin or on the lining of internal organs. Photodynamic therapy makes the skin and eyes sensitive to light for six weeks or more after treatment.

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(PDT) intravenous administration of a photosensitizing agent such as hematoporphyrin derivative, which concentrates selectively in metabolically active tumor tissue, followed by exposure of the tumor tissue to red laser light of a specific wavelength, to bring about production of cytotoxic free radicals that selectively destroy the photosensitized tissue. Called also photochemotherapy, photoradiation, phototherapy, and light therapy.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • photodynamic therapy — PDT; = photoradiation therapy; = phototherapy; = photochemotherapy 1) a treatment for some types of superficial cancers. A light sensitive agent is injected into the bloodstream and remains in cancer cells for a longer time than in normal cells.… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • photodynamic therapy — Therapeutic approach in which a light sensitive prodrug is given and then the target area (usually a tumour) is illuminated to generate the active drug in the right place …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • photodynamic therapy — noun A treatment for some forms of cancer and some skin disorders, involving the use of photosensitive chemicals, and controlled and directed laser beams …   Wiktionary

  • photodynamic therapy — Treatment with drugs that become active when exposed to light. These drugs kill cancer cells …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • photodynamic — Relating to the energy or force exerted by light. [photo + G. dynamis, force] * * * pho·to·dy·nam·ic dī nam ik adj of, relating to, or having the property of intensifying or inducing a toxic reaction to light (as the destruction of cancer cells… …   Medical dictionary

  • photoradiation therapy — photodynamic therapy …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • therapy — 1. The treatment of disease or disorder by any method. SEE ALSO: therapeutics. 2. In psychiatry, and clinical psychology, a short term for psychotherapy. SEE ALSO: psychotherapy …   Medical dictionary

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