• Question: How is it possible to cure caner through light

    Asked by brekfast to Greg, Jen, Laura, Mobeen, Paul on 14 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Paul O'Mahoney

      Paul O'Mahoney answered on 14 Mar 2016:

      One way we do this is by using a technique called Photodynamic therapy (PDT).
      In PDT, a cream is applied to the affected area on the skin, and the cream gets absorbed. In the cream are photosensitive drugs which like to clump together in tumours. When light is shined on these drugs, they ‘activate’ and release something called ‘reactive oxygen species’ which kill the tumour cells.
      So in that way you can treat skin cancer because the photosensitive drugs clump together most in tumours meaning that healthy cells aren’t really affected by it.

    • Photo: Jen Lowe

      Jen Lowe answered on 14 Mar 2016:

      Yes, for some skin cancers, photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a drug and a special type of light.
      http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/skin-cancer/treatment/photodynamic-therapy-for-skin-cancer

      Light is also used in many ways in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer too.
      In our department, low level laser therapy is used inside the mouth of patients who have head&neck radiotherapy to reduce oral mucositis (inflammation inside the mouth – really sore, can prevent eating)

      US site:
      http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/lasers-in-cancer-treatment

    • Photo: Greg Melia

      Greg Melia answered on 15 Mar 2016:

      It’s also worth remembering that visible light is just one part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radiotherapy uses a different part of the EM spectrum, so in a way, most cancer cures use a type of light.

Comments