OUR TREATMENTS

Photo Dynamic Therapy

One of the newest treatments to become available, this is a method for selectively destroying targeted tissue. It works by intravenous injection of a photosensitising drug, which, after waiting for a period of time, is taken up by the cancer cells, and following exposure to fibreoptic laser light becomes activated to destroy local cells. It can only be performed when access for fibreoptic source can be granted, for example in the biliary tree using the endoscopic procedure called ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography). Side effects are minimal but patients must stay out of direct sunlight for a short period until the drugs that are used to attack the cancer, pass out of the system. For further information please contact the Clinical Nurse specialist for the unit whose number is contained on the contacts page.