Photodynamic therapy for submucosal tumor of the central bronchus

A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of the emphysema and tumor of the right intermediate bronchus. Thoracic CT scan and bronchoscopic examination demonstrated a spherical tumor of the right intermediate bronchus covering a normal mucosa. The biopsy specimen obtained from this tumor was histologically diagnosed as "glandular type of adenocarcinoma in the bronchus". Surgical treatment was not feasible because of poor pulmonary function. Therefore, the patient underwent Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using porfimer sodium (Photofrin) and an excimer dye laser. After 4 months, the tumor disappeared and there has been no recurrence for 3 years 3 months. PDT can affect a submucosal tumor of the central airway, and is safe for patients with poor pulmonary function. Our report recommends that PDT should be applied not only to early lung cancer but also submucosal tumor of the central bronchus.