[Photodynamic therapy of the oral mucosa]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new therapeutic modality in head and neck oncology. PDT is based on the accumulation of a photosensitive dye in (pre)malignant tissue. When sensitizer containing tissue is exposed to light of a proper wavelength and dose, a photochemical reaction between the dye and the light will occur. The result may be tumornecrosis. Besides a tumor destructive effect, photosensitizers are also capable to show fluorescence, when stimulated by light of an appropriate wavelength. This fluorescence photo-detection (PD) can be used for early detection and localization of tumors or even premalignant epithelial changes, in tissues exposed to the delivered light. In this study several aspects of PDT and PD are described.