Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be used to treat non-melanoma skin cancers, such as actinic keratosis, Bowen’s disease and some basal cell carcinomas.
PDT can be used in two ways, conventional PDT (cPDT) and daylight PDT (dPDT). The doctor you see in clinic will tell you which treatment you will be having and will refer you accordingly. Daylight PDT is only possible from spring-summer.
Certain lesions will require two treatments, one week apart.
The nurse who is giving the treatment will explain the procedure to you and check the area to be treated.
The area will then be lightly scraped to remove any scales and crusts- this should not be painful.
The Metvix cream will be applied to the area and dressings will be applied to keep the cream in place (more information on Metvix cream can be found below).
You will then be asked to return after three hours. During this time you are welcome to stay in the hospital or leave the site if you wish, but please be back at the clinic for the time given to you by your nurse.
Once you return, the dressings and cream will be removed and illumination of the area will begin. Each section of treatment will take 7-10 minutes and the nurse will guide you on how many sections of treatment you require.
The illumination can be painful, with patients often describing it as “burning” or “pin pricks”. During the treatment, the nurse can soothe the area with cool water and a gentle fan to cool the sensation. The treatment can be paused if necessary.
After the treatment, the area will have dressings applied and you will be advised on how to care for the area. A copy of the information leaflet can be found below.
The nurse who is giving the treatment will explain the procedure to you and check the area to be treated.
Sunscreen will be applied to any sites that will be exposed to the sun including the area to be treated. Any scale or crust will be removed from the area to treat and Metvix cream will be applied (more information on Metvix cream can be found below).
You will then be asked to spend a period of two hours in full daylight in order to be treated. The cream will be activated over this time. It is important that you then remove the cream after this time.
