Nursing 30: PDT Effectiveness Compared to Traditional NMSC Treatments

This systematic review, conducted by a nursing student, examines the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) compared to traditional methods. The review analyzed five articles from databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and MEDLINE, assessing their quality using the JBI-QARI tool. The study explores the benefits of PDT, including superior cosmetic outcomes, while also considering the risk of recurrence and potential adverse effects. The review's conclusion highlights the superior cosmetic results of PDT compared to surgical interventions, but also acknowledges concerns about recurrence. The research emphasizes the need for further studies to provide clearer guidelines for oncology staff regarding the implementation of PDT, particularly concerning patient outcomes and management of associated challenges. The report also includes an introduction outlining the rising incidence of skin cancer, background information on NMSC, the methodology employed, the results of the literature search, and a discussion of the findings, along with implications for practice and future research.