During treatment:

• Day 1: You will be given an injection of the photoactive drug PHOTOFRIN.

• Day 3: 40 to 50 hours after the PHOTOFRIN injection, light from a laser will activate the drug within the cancer cells. This will destroy the cells. The type of laser used in PDT is non-thermal. This means that no heat is involved, so it will not burn.

• Your doctor will direct the laser light through a fiber optic guide. The guide is passed through a cystoscope (shown below) that is inserted into the urethra (the tube that allows urine to pass outside the body) and advanced into the bladder. The application of light takes about 15 minutes. For many patients, the entire procedure takes less than one hour.

• You may be given a sedative and/or a local or general anesthetic – so you should feel little or no discomfort.

Managing exposure to direct sunlight:

For 30 days:

• If possible, wait until sundown to do outside chores (such as shopping).

• If you do go out during daylight hours, WEAR:

  Long-sleeved short and slacks Tightly woven and light-colored fabrics Gloves

  Socks and shoes Wide-brimmed hat Dark sunglasses

• Test for photosensitivity by putting your hand in a paper bag with a 2-inch hole in it and expose it to direct sunlight for 10 minutes.

If a reaction occurs (swelling, redness, or blistering) within 24 hours, continue to take precautions for another 2 weeks before testing.

If no reaction occurs within 24 hours, you may gradually increase your exposure to sunlight. Continue to watch for skin reactions.

Call your doctor if your skin becomes red or blistered at any point following treatment.