Omnilux and Skin Cancer
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Non Melanoma Skin Cancer
Interview with Dr Marina Buckley on Skin Cancer Prevention on Weekend Healthy Chat with Dr. Sarah
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Rates of skin cancer are rising faster than any other cancer; Non-melanoma skin cancer is by far the commonest of all cancers (36% of the total). The incidence of these cancers has been increasing significantly since records began at 5% per year.
The reasons are not only those associated with depletion of the ozone layer but also people still fail to take the necessary precautions while in the sun. As peoples’ life expectancy increases the threat of skin damage by the harmful UVA and UVB increases.
Light therapy is recognized by centers of excellence throughout the world as an important mode of treatment for oncological and non-oncological conditions, including non-melanoma skin cancers and acne.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is currently used routinely as a treatment modality by clinicians who recognize the advantages that PDT holds over conventional therapies in the treatment of oncological and non-oncological skin conditions. Particularly those lesions presenting in anatomically difficult, cosmetically sensitive and poor healing sites.
The treatment is very straightforward and consists of initially applying a photosensitiser to the lesion. The lesion is then covered with an occlusive dressing for 3-4 hours before illumination with Omnilux PDT™.
A simple, yet effective procedure, which can easily be operated from a clinic or doctors room. The simplicity of the treatment modality means that a nurse can often administer the treatment leaving the doctor free for other patients, which in private practice has many benefits!
How Omnilux Works
Why choose Omnilux™ for Non Melanoma Skin Cancer?
PDT combines a topically applied photosensitiser and Omnilux™.
The photosensitiser in the neoplastic tissue is stimulated producing cytotoxic species, such as singlet oxygen, resulting in photo-oxidation, cell death and tumor destruction. A highly selective process, the cytotoxic species are only active for 1µs and treatment occurs only where the photosensitiser and light combine.
Light therapy stimulates the body’s own repair mechanisms to further enhance the healing process. The narrow spectral output of Omnilux eliminates the wavelengths that can contribute to unnecessary heating of tissue or pose a possible optical hazard, meaning that Omnilux™ is the most effective PDT light source.
By utilizing clinically proven core technology, Omnilux™ offers advantages over cryotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy of sparing normal tissue, leaving the skin surrounding the lesion intact and functional.
Cosmetic outcome is excellent, with visible scarring absent or minimal, and, unlike radiotherapy and chemotherapy, there is no risk of cumulative toxicity.
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| Bowens disease before and after a single Omnilux PDT™ treatment, demonstrating complete clearance | Basal Cell Carcinoma on the back before and after Omnilux PDT™ |
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| Actinic keratosis on the lower leg before and after a single treatment of Omnilux PDT™ | Just a few of the LEDs in the Omnilux PDT™ treatment head |
| Disease Profile | CRR | FU (Range) | Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actinic Keratosis | 100% | 12 | Morton 1995 Laser Med Sci |
| Bowen’s Disease | 100% | 12 | Morton 1996 B J Derm |
| Bowen’s Disease | 90% | >60 | Haller 1998 IPA Congress |
| BCC | 100% | 12 | Morton 1998 Arch Derm |
| BCC | 96% | >24 | Haller 1998 IPA Congress |
| BCC | 96% | 27 (15-45) | Haller 2000 B J Derm |
| BCC | 93% | 45 (16-73) | Leman 2001 B J Derm |
| BCC | 91% | 45 (16-73) | Morton 2001 B J Derm |
| BCC | 86% | 41 (12-52) | Morton 2001 Arch Derm |
| Data showing complete response rates and follow up data for Omnilux core technology PDT | |||
Clinical Efficacy
Omnilux PDT™ is indicated for treating large or multiple lesions, or those in anatomically difficult areas. It is a useful tool for those lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas and in particular for lesions in poor healing sites, such as the lower limbs of the elderly or diabetics.
Compared with conventional modalities, treatment outcome is excellent with significantly fewer adverse events. This means patients are not returning week after week for treatment of complications.
Evidence of the clinical success achieved with Omnilux PDT™ has been demonstrated consistently for many years in the treatment of thousands of lesions.
Clearance rates close to and including 100% have been achieved with Omnilux™ core technology in patients with Bowen’s disease and actinic keratosis. Long-term studies have shown that we have achieved complete response rates of 96% for basal cell carcinoma after 27 months.
FAQs
A new light on Skin Cancer
Without protection, the sun will damage your skin. This is because sunlight contains harmful UV rays – UVA and UVB – and these can initiate a damaging chain of events that can lead to skin cancer. There are other determining factors, of course, including heredity and the environment you live in. However, both the total amount of sun received during your lifetime, and overexposure resulting in sunburn, can cause skin cancer.
The Answer
The good news is that such skin conditions caused by the sun’s damaging rays may be treated with a new technique called Photodynamic Therapy “PDT” which uses a pure red light to treat the affected skin. PDT is a new and very successful method of treating localized skin cancers and lesions that could become cancerous if left untreated.
PDT has been used successfully to treat:
1) Bowen’s disease
2) Basal cell carcinoma
3) Actinic keratosis
Is Omnilux PDT™ a complicated procedure?
No. Omnilux PDT™ treatment is usually a single treatment.
How does Omnilux PDT™ work?
The treatment involves applying a special photosensitizing cream to the skin cancer and then, after 4-6 hours – shining a pure Omnilux red light on the area to be treated. After treatment a special dressing is applied to the area and you will be allowed to go home.
Is Omnilux PDT™ safe?
Yes. The treatment is simple and there have been no complications noted during the treatment and no long-term side effects.
Are lasers dangerous?
Don’t worry, the Omnilux™ light is NOT a laser and the regulation authorities have also given it a health and safety (CE) seal of approval.
How successful is Omnilux PDT™?
The technology has already proven itself in UK hospitals over the last 14 years and globally for the last 4 years, with thousands of skin cancers treated successfully.
What are the advantages of Omnilux PDT™?
The light can reach difficult areas and be used on broken or poor healing skin. The light can also be used on areas of the body where scarring is undesirable, such as the face, legs and arms, an important consideration. Healing is rapid and the final quality of healing is usually excellent. The cosmetic result is very good. There may be slight discomfort or pain during the treatment, but the doctor can relieve this for you with a local anesthetic that will numb the area.
Are there any complications?
There have been no recorded complications or long-term side effects noted in 14 years of clinical studies.
