Blue Light Treatment For Precancerous
Levulan known scientifically as aminolevulinic acid hcl can help treat common skin problems such as actinic keratoses precancerous lesions and early stage carcinomas.
Blue light treatment for precancerous. The treatment might be a good alternative for people who have 20. During the treatment we apply a topical photosensitizing drug to the skin. Pdt has also used for acne rosacea thin nonmelanoma skin cancers sun damage enlarged sebaceous glands wrinkles warts hidradenitis. Blu u treatment for skin cancer overview faqs.
But it s more painful time consuming than common treatment dermatologist notes. Aks are precancerous skin lesions a small proportion of which may develop into squamous cell carcinoma scc the second most common form of skin cancer. When combined with light therapy levulan is highly successful in treating the cancerous and precancerous growths. What is blue light therapy how does it work.
For widespread aks located on the face and scalp a light sensitizing topical agent is applied for a period of time followed by exposure to blue or red light to kill cancer cells. These lesions are typically found in areas of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun including the face head and arms. Photodynamic therapy or pdt is sometimes referred to as blue light therapy and is fda cleared for the treatment of actinic keratoses ak. Insurances typically cover the full cost of the treatment but this varies by insurance.
Blue light therapy on its own without the photosensitivity drugs added is safe and has very few risks. If left untreated an estimated 10 percent of these precancerous lesions may eventually evolve into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Aks are a marker of cumulative sun damage. Blue light therapy also called blue light treatment or blue light photodynamic therapy is a treatment performed by dermatologists to combat pre cancerous lesions like actinic keratosis.
Blue light therapy is an fda approved in office treatment for actinic keratoses precancerous lesions. Photodynamic therapy pdt is especially effective as a one and done treatment to destroy lesions without harming healthy tissue. The biggest risk is for a potential skin infection if any post treatment blisters occur and.