Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used to treat some types of sun-damaged skin and low-grade forms of growths. A cream is applied to the skin, and the chemical in this cream is absorbed in to the skin and converted in to a 'photosensitiser'. This photosensitiser is fluorescent, meaning that it produces red light when blue light is shone on it. By measuring how much light is given off with a camera, the investigators can determine how much photosensitiser is present in the skin. Also, it is thought that more of the chemical is converted to the active photosensitiser if the skin is warmer, so the investigators plan to measure the temperature of the skin using a thermal camera. Light is shone on to the skin and this activates the photosensitiser, treating the problem area and leaving healthy skin intact. This research will increase the investigators understanding of how PDT works, and may help the investigators to improve treatment regimens so that they can be made more effective and better tolerated
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
Two cameras used to take images of the skin. One, to measure the fluorescence from the photosensitiser, and the second to measure the surface temperature of the skin
Ninewells Hopsital
Dundee, Tayside, United Kingdom
Is there a correlation between body site temperature and degree of fluorescence prior to and/or during PDT
Body site temperature is measured before and during PDT (in degrees Celsius) as is fluorescence signal (in arbitrary fluorescence units). These are compared for each time point in the treatment for each patient.
Time frame: 12months
Is there a correlation between temperature and/or fluorescence and treatment outcome
Following from Outcome 1, these data for each patient will be compared with the clinical outcome (determined visually by Dermatologist) at 3 and 12 months, to see if there is a correlation between either measurements and clinical outcome.
Time frame: 12months
How does the spatial distribution of fluorescence and temperature change prior to and during PDT
Fluorescence and thermal cameras record field of view data, so the investigators can investigate how the fluorescence and thermal distribution in the lesions changes during treatment.
Time frame: 12months
Pain measured immediately after irradiation
Pain (visual analogue scale 1-10 cm-1) is measured after treatment, and the investigators will check for correlations between this properties and the fluorescence and thermal readings for each patient.
Time frame: 12months
phototoxicity (inflammation) measured immediately after irradiation
inflammation (measured visually by a Dermatologist) is measured after treatment, and the investigators will check for correlations between this property and the fluorescence and thermal readings for each patient.
Time frame: 12months
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