Does PDT hurt?
Patients usually experience no pain at all, but some patients can feel a prickling sensation during the illumination phase. This passes almost immediately when the illumination is concluded. A very few patients feel the pain so intensely that the illumination should be stopped. If you are worried about the treatment hurting, talk to your doctor, who can decide whether you will need a special local anaesthetic.
Is PDT dangerous?
No. There have been no reports of serious injury caused by PDT.
Does the light have any dangerous effect on normal, healthy skin?
No. The light only has an effect on the area where the cream has been applied, and the cream itself only affects skin that contains abnormal cells.
What type of skin lesions can PDT be used for?
PDT is approved for the treatment of actinic keratoses and basal cell cancer for which other forms of treatment are not considered appropriate.
Does PDT remove abnormal cells as effectively as other forms of treatment?
Yes. The clinical data available reveal that the results of treatment with PDT are just as effective as the more "traditional" methods of treatment. However, you should remember that the cream may have difficulty in penetrating to the very deepest part of the lesion, and this may result in relapses.
What are the advantages of PDT treatment over other forms of treatment?
The advantage of PDT is that it only kills the cells it is intended to kill, and leaves the healthy skin intact. This means that it usually produces very good cosmetic results, with no scarring at all in most cases.