Radiation Oncology/RT Techniques/Photodynamic Therapy

  • A form of phototherapy involving light and a photosensitizing chemical substance, used in conjunction with molecular oxygen to elicit cell death (phototoxicity)
  • Proven ability to kill microbial cells, including bacteria, fungi and viruses
  • Used clinically to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including wet age-related macular degeneration, psoriasis, atherosclerosis and has shown some efficacy in anti-viral treatments, including herpes
  • Also treats malignant cancers including head and neck, lung, bladder and particular skin, etc.