Blue Light Treatment For Precancerous

For widespread aks located on the face and scalp a light sensitizing topical agent is applied for a period of time followed by exposure to blue or red light to kill cancer cells.

Blue light treatment for precancerous.

What is blue light therapy how does it work. Blue light therapy also called blue light treatment or blue light photodynamic therapy is a treatment performed by dermatologists to combat pre cancerous lesions like actinic keratosis. Insurances typically cover the full cost of the treatment but this varies by insurance. Levulan known scientifically as aminolevulinic acid hcl can help treat common skin problems such as actinic keratoses precancerous lesions and early stage carcinomas.

Aks are a marker of cumulative sun damage. Blu u treatment for skin cancer overview faqs. These lesions are typically found in areas of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun including the face head and arms. Blue light therapy for actinic keratosis can help treat and reduce the number of precancers potentially reducing the number of full fledged skin cancers and helping in photo rejuvenation.

If left untreated an estimated 10 percent of these precancerous lesions may eventually evolve into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. During the treatment we apply a topical photosensitizing drug to the skin. Photodynamic therapy pdt is especially effective as a one and done treatment to destroy lesions without harming healthy tissue. But it s more painful time consuming than common treatment dermatologist notes.

The biggest risk is for a potential skin infection if any post treatment blisters occur and. The treatment might be a good alternative for people who have 20. Aks are precancerous skin lesions a small proportion of which may develop into squamous cell carcinoma scc the second most common form of skin cancer. Blue light therapy on its own without the photosensitivity drugs added is safe and has very few risks.

Light therapy for precancerous skin lesions. When combined with light therapy levulan is highly successful in treating the cancerous and precancerous growths. Blue light therapy is an fda approved in office treatment for actinic keratoses precancerous lesions.