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Light Therapy for Cancer

Chemotherapy and surgery were once standard cancer treatments, but photo-dynamic therapy (PDT) is a form of light therapy that increasing numbers of cancer patients are choosing for treatment. Light therapy calls for use of bright, artificial lighting designed to imitate the beneficial, health-producing properties of direct sunlight.

  1. Identification

    • During PDT, a photosensitizer agent, such as porfimer sodium or photofrin, is injected into the blood, where it is absorbed into body cells. The agent will remain longer in cancerous cells, and 1 to 3 days later, when only those diseased cells will have retained the agent, they will be exposed to light, which causes oxygen to be produced. Oxygen is known to destroy cancer cells.

    Function

    • PDT is primarily used to treat cancer of the esophagus and certain types of lung cancer.

    Benefits

    • Use of light therapy can do away with the need for surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, all of which have short- and long-term detrimental effects.

    Effects

    • PDT has short-term side effects, including burns, swelling, pain or scarring to healthy tissues adjacent to the diseased, targeted areas.

    Considerations

    • PDT is most effective on local cancers that have not spread. Light therapy is used only for tumors on or near the skin surface, or on linings of body cavities and organs, and has no effect on dense tumors or growths.

    Warning

    • PDT cancer patients are advised to avoid direct sunlight for 6 weeks. Treatment makes eyes and skin sensitive to light.

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