The Application of Photodynamic Therapy in the Head and Neck

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is now shown to achieve equivalent or greater efficacy than standard treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions in the head and neck, with greatly reduced morbidity and disfigurement.

Photodynamic therapy in dentistry: a literature review

“…A major disadvantage of topical application is the low treatment depth and penetration which is around 1-2 mm. Therefore, this approach is useful for the successful treatment of superficial tumors [23,24]. Examples to these cases are premalignant and malignant lesions, leukoplakia and recalcitrant leukoplakia, mouth angles, buccal, labial, gingival, mandibular oral mucosa, dysplasia, squamous cell carcinoma, verrucous hyperplasia, and extraoral verrucous carcinoma [12].…”

“…As highpower lasers may induce trauma to surrounding tissues through thermal injury, low-power light with a photosensitizer is an attractive alternative therapy [12,26]. Currently, diode lasers, which are much cheaper and more portable than metal vapor or tuned dye lasers, have become the preferred light source [23].…”

Photodynamic therapy outcome for oral dysplasia

“…PDT uses photosensitizing agents which accumulates selectively in target tissue prior to light delivery which results in cellular destruction. Developments in photosensitizers and light delivery systems have substantially reduced treatment times and residual photosensitivity, while increasing depth of effect (i.e., necrosis and peri‐lesional inflammation) 4–6.…”

A Clinical Trial Using Attrition Combined with 5-Aminolevulinic Acids Based Photodynamic Therapy in Treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…PDT is a light sensitization reaction involving oxygen molecules accompanied with biological effects, based on related photodynamic effects [9]. 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a common light sensitive reagent.…”