Photodynamic Therapy for Bile Duct Carcinoma

Abstract

The photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment for the unresectable biliary cancer. As for the photosensitizer used in PDT, Laserphyrin and Foscan has been developed as the next agents from Photofrin. The PDT endoscope becomes slimmer with new functions. Because the PDT for the biliary cancer is not covered by governmental insurance in Japan, fundamental researches and clinical treatments have been performed in limited institutions at present. We reported the history and the present treatment of PDT.