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Photodynamic Therapy

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Skin Cancer Management

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Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive treatment modality for precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses) and superficial non-melanoma skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma in situ and select basal cell carcinoma. PDT is an effective treatment that involves the photoactivation of a sensitizing agent by illumination resulting in generation of reactive oxygen species that are cytotoxic to malignant cells. The use of PDT to prevent and treat skin cancer in immunosuppressed patients or patients with multiple lesions has produced promising results. This chapter discusses the practical aspects of treating precancerous lesions and select superficial skin cancers with PDT and focuses on commonly used illumination sources and photosensitizing agents. Off-label use of PDT in combination with other therapies to optimize efficacy is reviewed.

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Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to Jenna Koblinski, BS, for her assistance in preparing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Dermatology Specialists, University of Arizona COM Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Nathalie C. Zeitouni

  2. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Claire-Audrey Y. Bayan

Authors
  1. Nathalie C. Zeitouni
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  2. Claire-Audrey Y. Bayan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nathalie C. Zeitouni .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Dermatology and Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Deborah F. MacFarlane

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Zeitouni, N.C., Bayan, CA.Y. (2021). Photodynamic Therapy. In: MacFarlane, D.F. (eds) Skin Cancer Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50593-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50593-6_4

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