Fighting cancer with light

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Fighting cancer with light

Researchers in Philadelphia are among those seeking to expand the use of

lasers to target tumors and curtail side effects. This treatment method

is called Photodynamic Therapy, and has been used for many years as a

non-invasive safe treatment for stopping bleeding in the retina.

 

Photodynamic Therapy works by injecting a non-toxic dye into the blood

that gets absorbed by the cancer cells, and makes them more light

sensitive, making them susceptible to light therapy as a way to kill the

cells. Normal cells do not get affected as they eliminate the dye more

quickly than the cancer cells do.

 

In a randomized European study, photodynamic therapy had extended the

life of patients with inoperable bile-duct cancer by more than a year,

on average, in some cases several years. It worked so well that the

trial was stopped early.

 

During that time, the patients reported having a better quality of life.

And unlike with radiation, there is no limit to how much the body can

take. Patients can repeat the process as much as needed.

 

" For some other cancers, at least in the early stages, photodynamic

therapy can eliminate the malignant growth entirely. This is true for

lesions of the skin and esophagus, and also for some superficial lesions

of the lung " , said pulmonologist Unger, who uses the technique

at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

 

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Fighting Cancer with Light Extended Article