Lung Cancers Treated with Photodynamic Therapy and Surgery
Author Information
Author(s): TETSUYA OKUNAKA, TOSHIMITSU HIYOSHI, KINYA FURUKAWA, HIDEKI YAMAMOTO, TAKAAKI TSUCHIDA, JITSUO USUDA, HIDEO KUMASAKA, JUNZOU ISHIDA, CHIMORI KONAKA, HARUBUMI KATO
Primary Institution: Tokyo Medical University
Hypothesis
Can preoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT) improve operability and reduce the extent of surgery in lung cancer patients?
Conclusion
Preoperative PDT was effective in converting inoperable lung cancer cases to operable ones and reducing the extent of surgical resection in many patients.
Supporting Evidence
- 22 out of 26 patients achieved the initial purpose of PDT.
- The survival rate for T3 cases treated with PDT increased from 50.9% to 60.0%.
- Overall complete remission was obtained in 42.5% of lesions treated.
- 84.9% complete remission was achieved in early stage lung cancer cases.
- 75% effective opening of bronchi was achieved in the PDT group.
Takeaway
Doctors used a special light treatment called PDT to help lung cancer patients have surgery that was less extensive or even possible when it wasn't before.
Methodology
Patients received preoperative PDT followed by surgery 2-9 weeks later, with evaluations of effectiveness performed bronchoscopically and histologically.
Potential Biases
Patients in both groups had similar backgrounds, but the lack of randomization may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study had a limited number of cases and was not randomized.
Participant Demographics
26 lung cancer patients aged 51 to 71, predominantly male (24 males, 2 females).
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.396
Statistical Significance
p=0.396
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