PHOTOMEDICINE OF THE ENDOMETRIUM - EXPERIMENTAL CONCEPTS

Gynaecological photomedicine offers new diagnostic and therapeutic met hods based on the interaction of light with the reproductive organs. O ne example is photodynamic therapy (PDT) in which photosensitizers are applied systemically or topically for selective endometrial ablation. Several studies describing the potential use of PDT for this applicat ion are reviewed, Basic experimental and clinical aspects of PDT, such as photosensitizer types, application modes, irradiation parameters, optical properties of tissues and photodegradation of photosensitizers are discussed.