London, March 12 (ANI): Skin cancer patients have a new reason to smile - doctors are set to unveil the first ever sticking plaster that can cure the deadly disease.
The Ambulight plaster comprises a miniature light that combines with a chemical cream and destroys skin cancer cells.
The device has already been used on 50 patients with a near 90percent success rate. An advantage of the procedure is that it is not only less painful but also leaves no scar.
A harmless chemical containing cream is applied to the skin where cancer cells absorb it.
After three hours the LED in the plaster automatically switches on for a set period of time, transforming the chemical into a lethal drug.
Even as it kills cancerous cell, damage to healthy cell is minimum.
The device was developed by professor James Ferguson, consultant dermatologist at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
"We get an 80-90percent complete cure," Sky News quoted Ferguson, as saying.
He added: "What we are hoping to do is optimise it further, by using new ways of delivering the light... pulsing for example. So there is room for improvement."
Muriel Lowe, a patient, said: "I have a skin condition that means normal surgery would scar me.
"The doctor told me that cosmetically this would be much better. The treatment is called photodynamic therapy."
The Ambulight is being officially introduced at the European Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Monaco.
Today : Sunday - May 27, 2012, 11:53am (GMT+5.5)
