The Use of Photodynamic Therapy and Photochemotherapy with Lasers for Palliative Treatment of Head and Neck Carcinomas: An Initial Human Case Report

摘要

ABSTRACTPhase III clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the effectiveness of hematoporphyrin derivatives (HPD) as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) with lasers. Laser photochemotherapy (PCT) using anthracycline drugs is a promising new alternative which appears to be useful in vitro and in vivo. We report the first human case of successful palliation with both PDT and PCT used in an alternate way. The patient presented with an unresectable recurrent large posterior pharyngeal wall and nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma which was accompanied by pain, halitosis, and dysphagia. After two sessions of PCT and three of PDT delivered over a three-month period, complete tumor regression was observed at the level of the nasopharynx and the patient remained free of local recurrence for six months. This case illustrates the potential benefits of these two adjunctive modalities for the treatment of head and neck and other tumors.