Photodynamic therapy - achievements and prospects
1989
Photodynamic Therapy: Achievements and Prospects
Editorial
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): D. Ash, S.B. Brown
Primary Institution: Regional Radiotherapy Centre, Cookridge Hospital, Leeds
Conclusion
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown curative potential for superficial malignancies and valuable palliative roles for advanced malignancies.
Supporting Evidence
- PDT has shown high local control rates in superficial bladder cancer with minimal morbidity.
- Patients with early lung cancer have shown a high complete response to PDT.
- Patients with early cancer of the oesophagus have also shown a high complete response rate to PDT.
Takeaway
Photodynamic therapy uses light to help treat cancer by making the tumor cells absorb a special drug that gets activated by the light, which can kill the cancer cells.
Methodology
The treatment involves administering a photoactive drug followed by laser light delivery to the tumor region.
Limitations
PDT has not been tested against other conventional treatments to confirm its superiority.
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