Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for Mesothelioma

The following paragraphs summarize the work of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Heed their advice to avoid any Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) surprises.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) story from informed sources.

This is a relatively new treatment that is used for a few types of cancers. In PDT, a drug called a photosensitising agent is injected into the bloodstream and absorbed by the body's cells. The drug makes cells sensitive to light. When the area to be treated is exposed to laser light, the cells are killed.

PDT has to be combined with an operation to treat mesothelioma. This has been tried for early stage mesothelioma. The photosensitising drug is injected into your bloodstream a few days before surgery. During surgery, the surgeon then shines the laser light directly onto the pleura.

PDT has been shown to be a safe type of treatment with other types of cancer. But in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials for mesothelioma, there were some major complications on a few occasions and so doctors have not widely accepted this treatment. It is particularly likely to be risky when used with major surgery and this combination of treatments is not available in the UK. There are no claims that this treatment will cure anyone of mesothelioma. It is very experimental. We have included it here because it is something you may have read or heard about.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).