The Clinical Outcomes of Photodynamic Therapy in Early Lung Cancer Patients / 결핵및호흡기질환

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective in managing small superficial early lung cancer patients who were deemed nonsurgical candidates. However, we do not have any previous report on the usefulness of PDT in early lung cancer in South Korea. Thus we report here our experience of PDT in early lung cancer patients. METHODS: 10 patients who underwent PDT for managing early lung cancer between June 2006 and July 2010 were analyzed. PDT was carried out 48 hours after photosensitizer injection. Re-bronchoscopy was carried out 48 hours after PDT in order to remove a necrotic tissue from the PDT site. For evaluation of PDT response, bronchoscopy and chest computed tomography (CT) were performed after 3 months. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 69 (49~77) and all patients were male. The smoking history of patients was 48 (20~75) pack-year and the median follow up of patients was 25 (11~52) months. Complete remission was observed in 10 patients and the recurrence of lung cancer was observed in 3 patients. Out of 10 patients, 3 patients died (one case of lung cancer progression and two cases of pneumonia). CONCLUSION: The PDT is a safe and effective treatment in early lung cancer patients who are not suitable for surgical resection. The PDT in clinical practice is an attractive option in the treatment of early lung cancer.