The frequency of tumor recurrences, according to the modern literature, remains high even in early stages of cancer (15% to 35%), the efficacy of conventional therapy for recurrent tumors is insufficient. In the State Research Center for Laser Medicine in 1992-97 photodynamic therapy with russian photosensitizers Photoheme ((lambda) equals 630 nm) and Photosense ((lambda) equals 670 nm) has been applied to 42 patients with recurrent and/or residual tumors (size corresponding to T₁ - T₄ symbols) of oropharyngeal area. We used laser irradiation for 3 - 30 minutes, power density used was from 0.05 to 1.0 W/cm², energy density - 300 J/cm². Therapeutic effect in term from 3 to 45 months was achieved in 39 (92.9%) patients. Complete resorption of tumors took place in 23 (54.8%) cases, partial resorption - in 16 (38.1%); in 3 cases (7.1%) the results of PDT were assessed as no response (tumor size decrease by less than 50%). Absolute resistance to PDT has not been noticed. The data obtained shows that PDT is a promising treatment modality for managing recurrent and residual tumors of oropharyngeal area.

Date Published: 30 December 1999
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 4059, Laser Use in Oncology II, (30 December 1999); doi: 10.1117/12.375271

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4059:
Laser Use in Oncology II
Andrei V. Ivanov; Mishik A. Kazaryan, Editor(s)