Photodynamic therapy for advanced lung cancer

Abstract

Laser endoscopic surgery has now achieved a status as effective treatment modality for lung cancer. Especially the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Photofrin as a photosensitizer was demonstrated in our institution in 1980 for the treatment of lung cancers, and increasing attention has been focused on this new treatment technique. In this study, advanced stage lung cancer patients were treated with PDT as a palliative treatment. In advanced lesions, the opening of bronchi obtained by tumor was achieved in 61 of 81 lesions (75%). In this study, effective tumor response was also compared according to the tumor location. Seventy three percent (19/26) of effective was obtained where tumor was located at trachea or main bronchus and 76%(42/55) where tumor was located lobe or segmental bronchus. PDT was also performed preoperatively. Performing PDT made possible to reduce the extent of resection necessary and reserve pulmonary function among 15 advanced lung cancer cases.