Endoscopic management of lung cancer with hematoporphyrin derivative phototherapy

This paper demonstrates the potential use of hematoporphyrin derivative in the phototherapy of bronchogenic cancer. We report on 10 patients (a total of 11 carcinomas) with cancer involving the tracheobronchial tree who completed one course of this new treatment administered via the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Four superficial carcinomas showed a complete response; five larger carcinomas showed a partial response, Two patients, each with a large cancer extending beyond the bronchial wall, died within 11 days after treatment.