Photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears to be a useful modality for treating early-stage cancer of the mouth or oropharynx, according to a study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (January 2010, Vol. 42:1, pp. 1-8).
Researchers from the Henry Ford Health System conducted a retrospective study of 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth or oropharynx. Most had undergone prior surgery or radiation, in combination or alone. All received intravenous porfimer sodium (Photofrin) followed by photoactivation.
Over an average follow-up of two years, the researchers found that 80% of the patients had complete remission, while 20% were partial responders and had recurrences at points ranging from three to 26 months. While 11 of 24 patients were cancer-free at two years following PDT, five patients -- four of whom were among the complete responders -- developed new primary head and neck tumors.
"PDT provides a surgical oncologic modality for potentially curative treatment of early-stage oral cavity and oropharyngeal malignancies, either as a primary modality or for treatment in patients that have previously failed surgery and/or radiation therapy," the authors concluded.
Copyright © 2010 DrBicuspid.com
