Simple red light sources for photodynamic therapy of malignant tumors

摘要

Abstract: While laser beams are essential for endoscopic photodynamic therapy (PDT), many types of superficial tumors can be treated effectively using incoherent light sources which are appropriately filtered. This paper reports on clinical trials using simple and effective red light sources modified from an overhead projector and a surgical headlamp with fiber optic output. More than 1 W of effective red light can be obtained and used effectively in the palliative control of large superficial lesions in initial trial cases of three types of malignancies. The use of simple light sources for the treatment of superficial tumors avoids the technical complexities associated with laser sources and enables ready observations of treatment response. Such clinical trials should be conducted extensively in the development of PDT as a viable cancer treatment modality prior to the development of endoscopic procedures. !6