Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Treatment for Non-melanoma skin cancer (squamous-cell carcinoma)
Typical Dosage: ALA/MAL cream 1-3h + light exposure
Effectiveness
85%
Safety Score
65%
Clinical Trials
6
Participants
25K
Comparative Safety Scale(Higher is safer)
Cyanide☠️
Meth💀
Cigarettes🚬
Chemo☢️
Alcohol🍺
Morphine💊
Antibiotics💉
Tylenol💊
Exercise🏃
Water💧
65
DangerousModerateSafe
Treatment Details
Dosage Range
ALA/MAL cream 1-3h + light exposure
Time to Effect
1-2 weeks
Treatment Duration
1-2 sessions, 1-3 hours each
Evidence Quality
HIGHConfidence Score
88%confidence in effectiveness data
Health Economics
Annual Cost of Care
Drug Cost:$0
Monitoring:$200
Side Effect Mgmt:$50
Total Annual:$1,750
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Cost-Effectiveness Rating
GOODICER
$40,000/QALY
QALYs Gained
0.7
Outcome-Based Costs
Cost per Responder
$2,059
Cost per Remission
$2,059
Comparison vs Topical 5-Fluorouracil
Cost Difference
+$1,400/year
More expensive
QALY Difference
+0.05 QALYs
Better outcomes
Dominance
No dominance
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Outcomes
for Non-melanoma skin cancer (squamous-cell carcinoma)
Efficacy Outcomes
Overall Effectiveness
+85%
Response Rate
+85%
Remission Rate
+85%
Common Side Effects
Pain/burning (during treatment)
+95%
Erythema/swelling
+85%
Crusting/scabbing
+60%
Photosensitivity
+100%
Hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation
+15%
Sources:
WARNING: LIMITED TRIALS AVAILABLE
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Active Clinical Trials
1 active trial recruiting for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in Non-melanoma skin cancer (squamous-cell carcinoma)
Vitamin D Effects on Immune Microenvironment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer After Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
NCT07241585NOT YET RECRUITINGNA
54 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Cleveland, United States
Started: May 1, 2026
Completed Clinical Trials
5 completed trials for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in Non-melanoma skin cancer (squamous-cell carcinoma)
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) With Metvix® 160 Milligrams/Gram Cream in Organ Transplant Participants With Non-melanoma Skin Cancer
NCT00472459COMPLETEDPHASE3
82 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Aarhus, Denmark +10 more
Started: Jul 25, 2003
Laser Assisted Drug Delivery in the Treatment of Superficial Non Melanoma Skin Cancer: a Randomized Controlled Trial
NCT03012009COMPLETEDNA
16 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Ghent, Belgium
Started: Sep 1, 2014
Photodynamic Therapy in Treating Patients With Skin Cancer
NCT00002975COMPLETEDPHASE2
180 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Buffalo, United States
Started: Feb 1, 1997
Photodynamic Therapy in Treating Patients With Skin Cancer
NCT00002963COMPLETEDPHASE2
INTERVENTIONAL
Buffalo, United States
Started: Nov 1, 1993
Photodynamic Therapy Using Silicon Phthalocyanine 4 in Treating Patients With Actinic Keratosis, Bowen's Disease, Skin Cancer, or Stage I or Stage II Mycosis Fungoides
NCT00103246COMPLETEDPHASE1
43 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Cleveland, United States
Started: Sep 1, 2004