Photodynamic therapy in otolaryngology--head and neck surgery

Photodynamic therapy utilizes a photosensitizing drug, hematoporphyrin derivative, and laser light to diagnose and treat cancer. We used treatment and diagnostic instrumentation and techniques developed during the last seven years to treat 31 patients over the last two years. Diffuse, superficial tumors of the head and neck responded well to photodynamic therapy as did localized bulk lesions of this area. Photodynamic therapy achieved initial control in patients with early lung cancer and opened up bronchi in those with obstructive lung cancer. Widespread, bulky tumors responded inconsistently. Neck metastases responded poorly when treated for tumor control. The beneficial effects of phototherapy and its general lack of severe complications may, however, warrant its use for limited palliative goals in the patient with far-advanced head and neck cancer, especially when irradiation and surgery have failed.