Tuberc Respir Dis.  2004 Jul;57(1):72-77.

Clinical Experience of Photodynamic Therapy in Five Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer

• Kim YK
• Lee YM
• Kim KU
• Uh ST
• Kim YH
• Park CS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A tracheobronchial obstruction in lung cancer is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, and recurrent respiratory infection. It is well known that one of standard treatments is photodynamic therapy (PDT) in tracheobronchial obstruction after radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery. We reported here the role of PDT in airway obstruction in patients advanced lung cancer. METHOD: Pre-treatment protocol consisted of clinical, radiologic, and bronchoscopic examination, pulmonary function test, and assessment of Karnofsky performance status. A 2 mg/kg of porfimer sodium was injected intravenously, and then followed by cylindrical and/or interstitial irradiation with 630 nm of laser after 48 hours. The repeated bronchoscopy for debridement of necrotic tissue and re-illumination was performed after 48 hours. RESULT: Improved airway obstruction and selective tumor necrosis were achieved by photodynamic therapy in all cases. Dyspnea and performance status were improved in three cases. A purulent sputum, fever and hemoptysis were improved in one of five cases. After PDT, all patients showed temporarily aggravation of dyspnea, two of five showed febrile reaction for a few days and nobody presented photosensitivity reaction, hemoptysis and respiratory failure.
CONCLUSION
Our experiences of PDT are effective in palliation of inoperable advanced lung cancer in terms of tracheobronchial obstruction.

Keyword

Photodynamic therapy; Tracheobronchial obstruction; Lung cancer

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction
Bronchoscopy
Cough
Debridement
Dihematoporphyrin Ether
Drug Therapy
Dyspnea
Fever
Hemoptysis
Humans
Karnofsky Performance Status
Lung Neoplasms*
Lung*
Mortality
Necrosis
Photochemotherapy*
Radiotherapy
Respiratory Function Tests
Respiratory Insufficiency
Sputum
Dihematoporphyrin Ether