Foscan photodynamic therapy for early head and neck cancer

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery 2004-08, Vol.131 (2), p.P74-P75
• Main Authors: Dilkes, Michael, Bapat, Urmi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0194-5998; 1097-6817
• DOI: 10.1016/j.otohns.2004.06.066

Objectives: Photodynamic therapy has been used to treat malignant disease since 1976. We have prospectively studieda series of 22 patients who were treated with primary photodynamic therapy for early (T1,2, N0) squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. Methods: Over the past 10 years, 22 patients with early (clinically T1,2 N0) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were treated with photodynamic therapy using meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (Foscan[R]). The drug does was 0.15 mg/kg body weight, delivered intravenously 96 hours prior to treatment. The light dose was 20 joules/cm 2, 100 milliwatts/cm 2, 652 nanometres wavelength. Follow-up was as per the usual St Bartholomew’s Hospital regimen. Sites treated were mostly oral cavity or oropharynx. Results: Local recurrence of invasive cancer occurred within the treatment site in 1 case (5%). Three patients developed significant skin photosensitivity requiring readmission (14%). No long-term complications occurred as a result of photodynamic therapy or photosensitivty reaction. Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy with Foscan(R) is effective and safe when treating early squamous cell cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract. A good result depends on being able to adequatley deliver activating light and to be able to guage the local extent of tumors, particularly depth, which should ideally be less than 5 mm.