[Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Photodynamic therapy with Foscan]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new method of treating superficial tumours of the skin or mucous membranes. After the injection of a photosensitiser, the tumour area is exposed to non-thermal laser light. This causes a phototoxic reaction, producing oxygen radicals that destroy the tumour cells.

From November 2004 to February 2006, a total of 24 patients with recurrent or secondary tumours after squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with PDT at the German Armed Forces Hospital in Ulm after other treatment options had failed. Meta-tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorin (mTHPC), known under the trade name of Foscan, was used as the photosensitising agent.

Complete remission was observed in 12 patients (50%) and partial remission was seen in nine (37.5%). Three patients did not respond to treatment. The mean duration of overall survival was 305.7 days (+/-199.4) after completion of treatment. The mean duration of recurrence-free survival was 302.7 days (+/-144.9) for patients with complete remission. There were no serious complications.

Photodynamic therapy is an important treatment option for patients who develop recurrent or secondary tumours after squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract and fail to respond to other treatments. In addition, PDT may play a role in the primary treatment of superficial tumours of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx in the future.