A promising new treatment option is being tested
for women with breast cancer whose disease has spread to the skin. The clinical
trial is currently accepting new patients. The trial is underway at a number of
select medical centers to evaluate photodynamic therapy - an innovative drug and
light treatment - for treatment of cutaneous metastatic breast cancer (cancer
that has spread to the skin). The therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that
uses light activated drugs to isolate and selectively destroy abnormal, rapidly
reproducing cells and tissues that are associated with cutaneous metastatic
breast cancer. The treatment appears to have none of the severe side effects
typically associated with chemotherapy or radiation. After treatment, patients
may experience sensitivity to sunlight for a period of time (about 1-2 weeks).
Advanced breast cancer metastasis can spread to the skin, forming cutaneous
lesions that develop into hard, non-mobile masses, plaque formations, and
bleeding wounds that can become infected. Conventional treatment for these
lesions does not always work, and may cause nausea, hair loss or increased
susceptibility to infection.
If you, or someone you know, suffers from breast cancer, has at least
4 cutaneous metastatic lesions, and is over the age of 18, you or the
patient are encouraged to call this number for more information:
1-800-57-STUDY, ext. 54 |
