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You are here: Cancer information / Diagnosis and treatment / Photodynamic therapy / Types

Glossary

Types

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses laser or other light sources along with a light sensitive drug called a photosensitizer.

Photosensitizers

The choice of photosensitizing drug depends on the type of cancer and situation for which it is given.

  • porfimer sodium (Photofrin)
    • most commonly used photosensitizing drug in Canada
    • is activated by low-power light from a laser
  • aminolevulinic acid (ALA or Levulan)
    • the photosensitizer is applied directly to the skin
    • may be used to treat a precancerous skin condition called actinic keratosis
    • most often activated by a special light source called a blue light illuminator instead of light from a laser, but occasionally a laser may be used
    • also called ALA-PDT or blue light therapy (BLU-U PDT)

References

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