Cancerbackup: Q-525
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The letters PDT stand for photodynamic therapy. It is a treatment for some types of cancer. PDT may also be used to treat certain non-cancerous conditions affecting the skin or eye.
PDT uses laser light combined with a drug which makes cells more sensitive to light to destroy cancer cells. It is used mainly to treat cancers of the skin, or cancers which are on or near the surface of the lining of the mouth and throat or the lining of internal organs like the lung, the oesophagus (gullet), the stomach and the bladder. Some work is also being done using PDT to treat prostate cancer.
You can read more about photodynamic therapy in the treatments section of our website.
Content last reviewed: 28 November 2006
Page last modified: 17 September 2008
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