Photodynamic Therapy to cure breast cancer

The treatment, termed as photodynamic therapy (PDT) is non invasive in nature which means that there is no need for the breast cancer patients to undergo any surgery.

All it takes is a few minutes for PDT to produce results. The icing on the cake is that the technique does not harm any health cells.

Researchers at the Royal Free Hospital, London intend to start the clinical trials of the PDT this year. The technique appears potent enough and could well become a substitute to radiotherapy in some cases.

Non invasive, non traumatic technique
During PDT, the patient is administered a drug that makes the cancer cells sensitive to light. Then, a low power red laser is beamed at the affected area. The procedure prevents the flow of oxygen to the unwanted cells leading to their death.

The team behind the PDT includes Mr Keshtgar of London's Royal Free Hospital, Prof. Tayyeba Hasan of Harvard Medical School, Boston and Prof. Stephen Bown of the National Medical Laser Centre, University College London.

Mr Keshtgar, who uncovered the PDT method at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, said, "The key appeal of photodynamic therapy is that it attacks and destroys cancer cells while retaining the viability of the surrounding normal cells.”

He claimed that PDT is unlike other distressing, more invasive treatments of breast cancer that leave behind corporeal and emotional wounds.

The PDT is meant to keep the formation of the connective tissue undamaged and unharmed that will ensure that, post treatment, the breast does not get distorted.

Breast cancer in India
Breast cancer is one of the most common tumor affecting women in India. As per estimates one in 14 of all female children born in the country develops breast cancer during their lifetime.

The PDT cure is already offered to skin cancer and mouth cancer patients. The application of the technique to breast cancer would be a huge step forward for oncology research.