Photodynamic therapy(
PDT) is a method consider "medical treatment" in which a drug( i.e.,
photosensitizer) is incorporated into a
tumor and a
laser beam of a wavelength corresponding thereto generates a reaction consider "elicits a phototoxic reaction that kills the
tumor cells". It is a less invasive treatment that has a
tumor-selective cell killing effect and has been established as a standard
therapy for centrally located early stage
lung cancer. Most patients with centrally located early stage
lung cancer are heavy smokers, and cardiopulmonary function is often deteriorated owing to
pulmonary emphysema or
heart disease. Centrally located early stage
lung cancer is known to occur frequently as synchronous or
metachronous neoplasm. Taking the patient's background into consideration,
PDT that does not affect the pulmonary function may be considered as a promising treatment. Herein, we outline the current applications of
PDT and its future prospects.