PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY Meaning and
Definition
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Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that uses a combination of light and a photosensitizing agent to selectively kill or destroy abnormal cells, such as cancer cells, while sparing healthy cells. The therapy involves administering a photosensitizing agent, usually a drug, into the patient's body or applying it topically to the targeted area. This photosensitizing agent is then activated by light of a specific wavelength, typically a laser or LED light, which produces a form of oxygen that is toxic to the target cells.
During the therapy, the photosensitizing agent is preferentially absorbed by abnormal cells, which makes them vulnerable to destruction when exposed to light. The specifically targeted cells become damaged due to the reactive oxygen species the activated photosensitizer produces, leading to their death or significant damage. In the case of cancer, this treatment can halt or slow down tumor growth, shrink existing tumors, or eradicate cancerous cells.
Photodynamic therapy is commonly used in dermatology for the treatment of skin conditions such as actinic keratosis, acne, and certain types of skin cancer. It also shows promise in the treatment of other cancers, including lung, bladder, and esophageal cancer. Additionally, PDT has potential applications in the field of antimicrobial therapy, where it can be employed to eliminate pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Overall, photodynamic therapy is a non-invasive or minimally invasive medical procedure that utilizes photosensitizing agents and light to selectively destroy abnormal cells, making it a promising therapeutic option for various medical conditions.
Common Misspellings for PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
- ohotodynamic therapy
- lhotodynamic therapy
- -hotodynamic therapy
- 0hotodynamic therapy
- pgotodynamic therapy
- pbotodynamic therapy
- pnotodynamic therapy
- pjotodynamic therapy
- puotodynamic therapy
- pyotodynamic therapy
- phitodynamic therapy
- phktodynamic therapy
- phltodynamic therapy
- phptodynamic therapy
- ph0todynamic therapy
- ph9todynamic therapy
- phorodynamic therapy
- phofodynamic therapy
- phogodynamic therapy
- phoyodynamic therapy
Etymology of PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
The word "photodynamic therapy" is composed of two main parts: "photo-" and "-dynamic therapy".
- The first part, "photo-", comes from the Greek word "phōs" (φῶς), meaning "light". This prefix is commonly used to describe concepts related to light or the use of light in different fields.
- The second part, "-dynamic therapy", is derived from the Greek word "dunamis" (δύναμις), meaning "power" or "force". In medical terminology, the suffix "-dynamic" is used to refer to the use of energy or the application of an external force.
Therefore, combining the two parts, "photodynamic therapy" refers to a treatment modality that applies light-induced power or energy for therapeutic purposes.
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