Photodynamic Therapy Lights The Way During Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Premiere La Jolla Medi-Spa Highlights New Light-based Skin Cancer Treatment This May. Spa MD the deluxe medi-spa headed up by renowned and innovative dermatologist Mitchel P. Goldman will be focused on offering Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) during the month of May in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness month.

PDT, a new technology used to target various cancers, has proven an effective, less-painful option with few lasting side effects, in the treatment of actinic keratosis (or pre-cancerous skin cells). Photdynamic Therapy works through the combination of a blue light photodynamic therapy illuminator and 20 percent aminolevulnic acid (ALA), a photosynthesizing drug (usually topically-applied, but sometimes taken intravenously). Once absorbed into the system (usually 14-to-18 hours later), ALA selectively concentrates in the diseased cells of the body, which are then exposed to the light source and destroyed, causing minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.

PDTs success rate in treating actinic keratosis is especially significant in light of the most recent statistics about this serious condition. A common and recurrent disorder that has a 16 percent progression rate into invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), actinic keratosis is accountable for approximately 4 million patient visits annually. Twenty-five percent of those visits represent new diagnoses. Although several effective skin cancer treatments exist-cryosurgery, curettage and topical 5-flouroacil-most are painful (cryosurgery) and cause prolonged irritation and pain.

Consider the following story idea:

Photodynamic Therapy Lights The Way During Skin Cancer Awareness Month: San Diego-based physician, Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman, can talk about how the high-intensity light is being used to treat actinic keratosis. We can show photos of the machine and how it works. A patient can also be interviewed about how he/she feels about the procedure.

ABOUT SPA MD
La Jolla Spa MD is located in the lush community of La Jolla, just outside of San Diego, Calif. The multi-level medi-spa boasts a 14,000-square-foot ground floor with medical offices upstairs. La Jolla Spa MD is the ultimate embodiment of the medi-spa concept, uniquely marrying the latest in cosmetic dermatological procedures with the most innovative spa treatments.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Brianna Konefall
Creative Media Marketing 323-935-9881