The content of this posting is derived from the review by Kecheng Xu,Guo Zhiqian,Lizhi Niu,from Fuda Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou.
PDT is a promising new approach for the treatment of cancer.
The principle of PDT is based on photochemical reaction,which is initiated by light activation of a photosensitizing drug causing tumour cell death.
Light is mainly applied by superficial illumination of the tumour and the surrounding tissue causing drug activation followed by tumour cell death.
The PDT is mostly used for superficial and endoluminal lesions like skin or bladder malignancies and also more frequently applied for the treatment of lung,esophageal,and head and neck cancer.
With the help of specially designed application systems,PDT is now becoming a practiceable option for solid lesions,including those in parenchymal organs such as the liver.
New techniques use glass fibres,which are stabbed into the tumour,leading the light directly into the tumour tissue.
The intra-operative application of PDT to treat and "mop-up" the tumour bed of any remaining tumour cells has been reported.
PDT damage heals mainly by regeneration rather than by scarring.
Due to the organ preserving principle of PDT,important structures are maintained with good functional and cosmetic outcome.
The principle of PDT and different indications for PDT were reviewed.
(Pictures show PDT procedure done in Gading Pluit Hospital,Jakarta,Indonesia. Photo courtesy of this blog author)
