Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for lung cancer

Clinical PDT began in the early 1980s and lung cancer was one of the first indications for which the procedure was tried. Initially patients with advanced inoperable cancer and major bronchial obstruction were targeted with the objective of relief of airway obstruction and symptom palliation. In the past 30 years, assisted by progress in imaging methods and advances of technological developments, PDT indications have expanded to incorporate a multitude of lung cancer presentations which this review aims to display. Locally advanced and early stage endobronchial cancer continues to be the major indications albeit with a more precise diagnostic and guided illumination devices. Peripheral parenchymal disease has been a technical challenge but there is still ongoing development. Multifocal synchronous, recurrence and metachronous endobronchial disease following lung resection are now an up and coming indication with rewarding outcome. More importantly PDTs role within a multi-disciplinary assault on lung cancer is receiving acceptance.