A type of cancer treatment that uses the interaction between laser light and a substance that makes cells more sensitive to light and in turn causes a chemical reaction that destroys the cancer cells.

Cancer treatment that uses the interaction between laser light and a substance that makes cells more sensitive to light. When light is applied to cells that have been treated with this substance, a chemical reaction occurs and destroys cancer cells.

(foe-toe-die-NA-mik THER-ah-pee) Treatment with cancer drugs that become active when exposed to light

Treatment that destroys cancer cells with drugs that become active when exposed to laser light aimed specifically at the tumor cells.

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

Use of photosensitive drug (Visudyne) which is inactive until activated by 689nm light and damages the abnormal vessels in treatment of macular degeneration.

a revolutionary technique used to treat lung and esophageal cancers. During this procedure, a patient is injected with a light-sensitive substance that collects in malignant tissue. Once the substance is fully absorbed, physicians expose the tissue to light from a special laser, which produces a chemical reaction that destroys cancer cells.

Cold laser treatment that is sometimes used to close the abnormal blood vessels that grow in wet AMD.

type of laser therapy wherby cancer cells absorb certain drugs. When exposed to a special light, the drugs become activated, and kill cancer cells.

A form of cancer treatment using an photosensitizing agent administered intravenously which concentrates selectively in tumor cells, followed by exposure of the tumor tissue to a special red laser light, in order to destroy as much of the tumor as possible. See the entire definition of Photodynamic therapy

A new therapy for the wet form of AMD. This therapy consists of a light-activated drug (e.g. Visudyne) injected into the patient's bloodstream and preferentially collects in areas of new blood vessel growth. Once this drug is administered, a surgeon aims a low-intensity or "cool" laser at the area of blood vessel growth. The laser activates the drug, which then destroys the leaky blood vessels. Since the drug is confined within the blood vessel, the laser treatment mainly targets the vessel and does not harm the overlying retinal tissue. It is thought that photodynamic therapy may offer patients with wet AMD a safer, more effective sight-saving therapy than traditional laser treatment.

Procedure for the treatment of superficially occurring lesions (predominately of the skin) with light in combination with a light-sensitive drug

The use of laser beams to activate special dyes in order to stop retinal bleeding.

a platform technology that utilizes light-activated drugs to treat a wide range of medical conditions.

laser destruction of tumor cells through exposure to a specific wavelength of light following injection of a photosensitizing chemical.

Cancer treatment using light. A drug is given that is inactive until it comes into contact with light. When the drug is concentrated in the cancer cells, laser light is shone at the cancer. The drug is then activated and kills the cancer cells. This type of treatment is being tried for bladder, lung, skin and pancreatic cancers. It is still experimental.

treatment with drugs that become active when exposed to light. These drugs kill cancer cells.

a form of cancer treatment in which a patient is exposed to light (e.g., ultraviolet light, light from a laser) after ingesting a light-sensitive chemical (e.g., hematoporphyrin), which accumulates in tumor tissue.

is a proprietary method of using light to make a drug work. Using light activated drugs called photosensitizers, PDT can be used to treat diseases such as cancer and age related-macular degeneration (AMD) which feature rapidly growing tissues.

uses a certain type of light and a special chemical to kill cancer cells.

The process of blood vessel coagulation in the retina through activation of a light-sensitive drug injected into the system (See Visudyne)

treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells when exposed to a special light.

(fo-toe-dye-NAM-ik): Treatment with drugs that become active when exposed to light and kill cancer cells.

A laser therapy treatment for cancer patients. A chemical that stays within cancerous cells is administered to the patient. The chemical, when activated by a laser, kills or weakens the cells.

Therapy involving the use of powerful light, and its effect on living organisms

A treatment in which a laser is used in combination with a dye to selectively damage abnormal blood vessels associated with AMD. See the Macular Degeneration FAQ ("What is photodynamic therapy, or PDT?").

new, major procedure for the treatment of the exudative macular degeneration: the drug Verteporfin, which is administered intravenously, is activated by a laser beam and brings about a sealing of the porous blood vessels in the region of greatest visual acuity.

A form of treatment in which a drug is administered and then activated by light.

(fo-toe-die-NAM-ick) : a treatment sometimes used for cancers of the skin, esophagus, lung, or bladder. PDT begins with the injection of a nontoxic chemical into the blood. This chemical is allowed to collect in the tumor for a few days. A special type of laser light is then focused on the cancer. This light causes the chemical to change so that it can kill cancer cells. The advantage of PDT is that it can kill cancer cells with very little harm to normal cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), matured as a feasible medical technology in the 1980s at several institutions throughout the world, is a ternary treatment for cancer involving three key components: a photosensitizer, light, and tissue oxygen. It is also being investigated for treatment of psoriasis and acne, and is an approved treatment for wet macular degeneration. The German physician Friedrich Meyer–Betz performed the first study with photodynamic therapy (PDT) with porphyrins in humans in 1913.