Light Treatments for Skin Cancer

Sometimes there is no treatment necessary for skin cancer other than a biopsy that removes the entire growth. If further treatment is needed, there are various options, including the use of light to remove the cancer.

Types

• Laser therapy and photodynamic therapy are two types of light-based therapy for treating skin cancer.

Laser Therapy Function

• Laser therapy uses a beam of light to vaporize cancerous growths. This is usually achieved with little damage to surrounding tissue.

Photodynamic Therapy Function

• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a class of drug that starts working only when activated by light. Light produces a damaging form of oxygen that destroys the cancerous tissue.

Advantages

• Light therapy is a procedure that requires no anesthetic or hospital stay, and can be done without chemotherapy.

Considerations

• If you have photodynamic therapy, you will need to avoid direct sunlight for at least six weeks after your treatment.