Patients with basal cell skin cancer — the most commonly diagnosed type — can now have the evaluation and start treatment at the same time, without the need for a surgical center. This achievement was the result of a recommendation by the National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies into the Unified Health System (Conitec) to include photodynamic therapy in the Unified Health System (SUS) as a treatment option for these patients.

The therapy was developed by the São Carlos Physics Institute at Universidade de São Paulo (University of São Paulo) (USP). According to Conitec, it was the first time that a Brazilian university had requested the incorporation of a technology into the SUS, consolidating a good example of innovation.

Photodynamic therapy offers healing rates similar to those seen in traditional approaches such as surgery and cryotherapy, and provides better aesthetic results and faster recovery as well.

One of the factors that favored approval was the division of Conitec’s plenary into committees in 2022, which allowed the work groups to be more specialized and with a broader understanding of the issues.

Driven by the desire to bring photodynamic therapy to the country, IFSC’s research gained investment from the BNDES in 2012 to start clinical trials. The University then began training doctors to handle the equipment and medicines needed for the tests in 72 centers throughout Brazil and Latin America. The path taken by IFSC should inspire other institutions that are also developing projects that could become new models to be incorporated by the SUS.