PDT/PDD research
Photodynamic Therapy Guide for Patients
Patient Guide
Things to do before and after treatment to prevent side effects such as photosensitive reactions that can occur after photodynamic therapy
Guidance for Wide Area Therapy (PDT) for Patients
The following is intended to help patients and guardians understand how to use a photosensitive materials and what side effects can be caused by Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) before and after treatment to prevent photosensitive reactions or side effects.
- Stage 1
- PDT consists two stages; the first is to inject photosensitive material intravenously, which itself does not react. The second step is to show the laser (red light of a specific wavelength) to photosensitive material to activate it and treat cancer. An intravenous injection of photosensitive material builds up in cell tissues, particularly in dysplasia cell and cancerous cells
- Stage 2
- Squeeze the laser of red light here to activate the photosensitive material and destroy the dysplasia cell and cancerous cells. Since the red light from the laser does not generate heat, it does not cause burns when treated with PDT. Specially designed to transmit laser light, the fiber looks like a fishing line due to its thin, flexible and transparent feature.
Notice before you treatments! (Preparations)
- First preparation
- Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is performed to treat dysplasia cells and cancerous cells. This treatment should be equipped with light-sensitive drugs (a drug activated by light) and laser light that does not involve heat.
- Second preparation
- The patient's skin and eyes will be very sensitive to direct sunlight and sunlight for a few days after PDT is administered. Some patients may be sensitive to light for a shorter or longer period.
Process of PDT
| Process of PDT |
|---|
| 1. The patient will be given a light-sensitive drug. - Watch out for sunlight, fluorescent light is fine |
| 2. Laser light, which is investigated after a certain period of time after intravenous injection of photosensitive mateiral, will destroy cancer cells by activating photosensitive material inside dysplasia cells or cancer cells. The laser used for PDT does not cause burns because it does not generate heat. |
| 3. The physician will examine the laser light directly through the fiber optics endoscope. |
| 4. Patients will be treated with sedatives, partial anesthetic or full-body anesthetic and will feel little or no anxiety. Sometimes patients may stay awake during the course of treatment. |
Preparations for visiting the hospital
When going out, wear dark sunglasses (with a light transmittance of less than 4%) / Gloves / wide-brimmed hats / long sleeves and pants, socks, shoes or sandals.
| Post-PDT care points at home |
|---|
| 1. The area around the treatment area may be partially inflated and inflamed, causing discomfort. Some patients may be more sensitive to light. Therefore, you should take the following precautions: |
| 2. Avoid sunlight or direct sunlight, and you may be exposed to fluorescent lights or TV lights. (You can keep the curtains closed when you enter the hospital) |
| 3. The windows should be curtained to a degree that direct sunlight cannot pass through them. It is okay to be exposed to normal room light (located in the inside position of the room). It is recommended to expose the body to some extent to indoor lighting to reduce the time period that can be sensitive to light. This helps to remove the photosensitive agent from the body. |
Side Effects
- * * There are few side effects compared to other anti-cancer drugs, but there may be the following side effects.
- If treated in esophagus: fever, nausea, constipation, chest or abdominal pain, dehydration, difficulty swallowing, anemia, headaches, hiccups.
- If treated in the lungs: chest pain, constipation, shortness of breath, blood transfusion, fever, cough, pneumonia, bronchitis, obstruction due to mucus plug, obstruction, edema, stenosis (narrowing)
Please do this after the PDT procedure because you are sensitive to sunlight!
| For 30 days after the PDT treatment | If possible for 30 days, wait until sunset for outdoor activities such as shopping. When going out during the day, wear the following items: - Long-sleeved shirts and pants - Knitted clothes that stick to the body rather than loose clothes, bright colored clothes - Gloves - Wearing socks - Wide-brimmed hat - Dark sunglasses |
|---|---|
| 31st day after PDT treatment | Put your hand in a paper bag with a 2-inch hole and expose it to direct sunlight for 10 minutes to test the sensitivity of the light sensitivity. If it swells, turns red, or blisters within 24 hours, take care for another two weeks and retest. If no response has occurred within 24 hours, gradually increase the time to expose the body to direct sunlight. Continue this process by observing the skin reaction. |
| If your skin becomes red | contact your doctor if treatment causes any part of your skin to become red or blistered. |
