Asklepion / Your problems / Basal cell epithelioma
Basal cell epithelioma
Basal cell epithelioma is found on the skin of hundreds of thousands of people. These malignant tumours do not kill, but they endanger patients by destroying large areas of skin. If they are not removed in time they extend to large scab like areas, which often bleed. Very frequently they are found on the face, where they can increase so much that they occupy up to one quarter of the cheek. They originate most frequently as a result of excessive sun light.
Asklepion as the first in the Czech Republic started to use a small miracle of modern dermatology, the completely revolutionary photodynamic therapy in connection with Metvix. Previously the treatment of basal cell carcinoma was treated by classical methods, mostly by surgical removal.
The theory of photodynamic therapy with the use of Metvix cream is very simple and very gentle to patients. The lesion is covered by Metvix cream, which contains one of the body’s own substances, aminolevulinic acid, and is left in place for about three hours. During this time the cream is absorbed to the malignant cells, it avoids the healthy cells completely. Afterwards the specialist exposes that growth to red light of the pulsed colour laser. Malignant cells die and during the next fourteen days they drop off the skin.
With Metvix, tumours of skin disappear as with movements of the magic wand, without any scars which would be inevitable with the surgical removal of these lesions. If the patiens have more lesions on face or on the upper chest it is clear that scalpel would save thein life but at the price of marked scarring.
The great advantage of this therapy is also the fact that it can be used at any stage of patient’s life without endangering their health. During the chemical reaction there is no formation of any dangerous substances as can happen during other treatments of cancer. The malignant cells are killed in this case by oxygen.
The specialists’ reports from Asklepion related to this procedure were published in many distinguished scientific magazines. Through research and therapy Asklepion and the 1st Medical Faculty reached with Metvix the top reputation within the world of dermatology where photodynamic therapy is used.
Photodynamic therapy can sort out some other problems. Unfortunately malignant melanoma cannot be removed by this method, here it is only surgical procedure which is useful. But it can be used for example to speed up treatment of acne and here with laser rejuvenation of complexion it achieves really great results. This is because the laser used without Metvix removes all cells including old, dead, healthy or unhealthy but after the application of the cream the same laser attacks only the aging structures of skin, which are „labelled” by aminolevulinic acid.