The role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in inoperable oesophageal cancer

Abstract

(1) PDT is safe and effective for palliation of dysphagia in inoperable oesophageal cancer. This is particularly important in post-cricoid and cervical oesophageal cancer previously treated by other methods and for patients with recurrent malignant obstruction who previously had intubation or stent placement. (2) Survival is influenced by better PS (< or =2) and in those with disease Stage III rather than patients in Stage IV. This study has not been able to determine the influence of complete tumour staging on survival because, apart from four patients, all others were Stages III and IV cancer.

Oesophageal cancer: an overview of a deadly disease

“…Virtually all of the ablative techniques previously described have been used for palliation of advanced OC (82)(83)(84)(85)(86). Additionally, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, brachytherapy, direct ethanol injection, endoscopic intubation or stenting, and palliative surgery have all been utilized in the treatment of OC not amenable to resection (87)(88)(89)(90)(91)(92).…”

Photodynamic Therapy in Oncology

“…Subsequent studies confirmed the efficacy of PDT for such tumors [78,79]. PDT is also effective as a curative treatment for small superficial tumors in the esophagus [80].…”

Untitled

“…These objectives are achieved in the majority of PDT-treated cases. [77][78][79][80] PDT is also used in patients with early mucosal tumors unsuitable for surgery. Long-term survival of 5 or more years is achieved in 50 to 60%.…”