Metvix PDT - an alternative to surgery

 

The surgical removal of skin cancers is one of the most common and effective forms of treatment but there is now a

new less invasive treatment called Metvix Photo-Dynamic Therapy (Metvix PDT).  

 

Metvix PDT is an excellent alternative to surgery on the face where removing a cancer can distort the eyelid or lip or in

the case of the nose often requires a skin graft or a flap. It is also very useful for skin cancers on the lower leg, which

can be difficult to remove surgically and can be slow to heal.

 

Metvix PDT is a two-part treatment involving the application of Metvix cream to the skin cancer and surrounding skin. The Metvix cream selectively

targets skin cancer cells while the surrounding normal skin is unaffected. The area is then exposed to a specialised light source that activates the cream

absorbed into the abnormal skin – destroying the cancer and minimizing scarring by leaving normal skin intact. The treatment is then repeated one week later.

 

Metvix was approved for use in New Zealand in 2002. Metvix PDT has been extensively tested in a series of controlled trials involving thousands of patients

across 14 countries. It has been shown to be a highly effective and safe treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and sun damaged skin - actinic keratosis (AK).

 

Metvix PDT is an excellent alternative to surgery and is now available though The Skin Clinic Marlborough.                                                                     Sept  2007

 

Text Box: Basal cell carcinoma before and after Metvix treatment Text Box: Actinic keratosis before and after Metvix treatment  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Summary of risks of Metvix PDT

 

  1. Recurrence of the lesion – current research suggests a recurrence of approximately 10-18% at 3 years post PDT treatment for basal cell carcinoma and 9% at 3 months for actinic keratosis.
  2. Scarring is not uncommon but generally better than scarring as a result of surgery.
  3. 10% or more of patients may experience a burning sensation, crusting, swelling, pain and or redness during and after the treatment.
  4. 1-10% of patients may experience itch, ulceration, blisters, infection, skin peeling and or increased or decreased pigmentation of the skin at the treatment site.
  5. Less than 1% of patients may experience an allergic reaction in the form of urticaria (itchy redness and swelling of the skin)

 

 

Costs: This depends on the size and number of lesions.  The cost ranges from $950 -  $1200+  for the first lesion, subsequent lesions if treated at the same time are approximately 50% of the first lesion price – again depending on size. Sept  2007