Also, trauma such as cutting, tearing, etc., can cause part of a mole to look like nevus recurrens under the microscope and therefore cause concern that it might be melanoma. The nucleus is composed of chromosome genes that are tightly packed and pick up the dark purple stain hematoxylin. Cancer or abnormal cells often show irregularities in the nucleus. This activation causes the formation of new molecules and free radicals that form other chemicals that, in turn, may destroy the targeted material to a varying extent. PDT is less effective for thick lesions.
Skin cancers are usually thicker than precancers and respond less well.
PDT has been only modestly successful in treating the simplest forms of skin cancer. The author foresees a significant role in the use of PDT to treat actinic keratoses and other extremely superficial skin growths. See also Board certified and Plastic surgery. A doctor who will surgically change, mold or shape a portion of a human being. A plastic surgeon rarely uses plastic.