Photodynamic therapy treatment of early oral and laryngeal cancers.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive treatment that uses a light source to activate light-sensitive drugs or photosensitizers in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. PDT has been successfully employed to treat early carcinomas of the oral cavity and larynx preserving normal tissue and vital functions of speech and swallowing. Two hundred seventy-six patients with early carcinomas of the oral cavity and larynx were treated from 1990 to 2006. Cure rates with a single treatment for early laryngeal and oral cancers were 91% and 94%, respectively. PDT is an effective primary and alternative treatment modality for early oral cavity and laryngeal cancers.

• Authors: Merrill A Biel
• Journal: Photochemistry and photobiology (Photochem Photobiol) 2007 Sep-Oct Vol. 83 Issue 5 Pg. 1063-8 ISSN: 0031-8655 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17880501 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Dihematoporphyrin Ether

Topics

• Dihematoporphyrin Ether (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Laryngeal Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Mouth Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Photochemotherapy
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)