New treatment for skin cancer

Meet the Ambulight PDT.

A drug is given to the patients which makes the affected skin sensitive to light.After that, the disposable light-emitting plaster is then stuck over the top, allowing photodynamic therapy treatment to be applied directly to the skin, destroying the cancerous cells.

For non-melanoma, the most common treatment in the past has involved applying a cream to the skin for several hours before the patient undergoes intensive light treatment.

With the new device, the patient can be in and out of hospital within minutes, enabling them to continue with their normal daily routine while undergoing the treatment.

Pilot clinical trials have also indicated this new treatment method causes lower pain than conventional techniques.

Adapted from the article on BBC News Channel.