| Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the newer | | | | laser of low intensity. The cancer cells exposed to |
| lung cancer treatment options available today. Lung | | | | this laser are destroyed. |
| cancers are sometimes inoperable, particularly when | | | | In the third and final stage, about two days after the |
| they are situated in the bronchi or trachea. Similarly, | | | | laser light exposure, a bronchoscopy is done to get |
| cancers that have spread from other parts of the | | | | rid of the dead cancer cells and mucus from the |
| body to the bronchi cannot be removed surgically. In | | | | bronchi or trachea. |
| such cases, photodynamic therapy offers a safe and | | | | A patient can benefit from photodynamic therapy |
| effective treatment option. | | | | only if his or her cancer is situated in a location that is |
| In a best-case scenario, PDT is used as a curative | | | | accessible to a bronchoscope. Also, the tumor must |
| therapy that can eliminate the cancer completely. In | | | | be large enough so that the bronchoscope can easily |
| many patients, PDT is employed as a palliative lung | | | | detect it. This means that some cancers like those |
| cancer treatment meant to provide relief from | | | | located outside the bronchial passages cannot be |
| symptoms even though it does not cure the cancer. | | | | treated with PDT. |
| Photodynamic therapy can effectively relieve | | | | Lung cancer treatment with PDT offers almost no |
| symptoms like breathing difficulties from obstructions | | | | dangerous side effects, unlike other treatment |
| in the bronchi or trachea. In some patients, tumors | | | | methods. Photosensitivity is about the only side |
| block the airways and can cause coughing, breathing | | | | effect that lasts for a while. Since photofrin makes |
| difficulties, pneumonia and bleeding. PDT may be used | | | | cells sensitive to light, the patient may experience |
| in such cases depending on the location, size and | | | | heightened light sensitivity for a period of four to |
| stage of the tumor. | | | | eight weeks after the treatment. |
| PDT destroys cancer cells using a laser. To ensure | | | | During this time, even normal exposure to sunlight |
| that only cancerous cells are destroyed, a special | | | | can result in severe sunburn. For this reason, patients |
| drug is used to make the cancer cells more sensitive | | | | who have undergone PDT are advised not to |
| to this treatment while leaving normal cells intact. | | | | venture out into the sun for about eight weeks after |
| There are three steps involved in the process of lung | | | | their lung cancer treatment. In contrast to |
| cancer treatment using PDT. In stage one, a drug | | | | photodynamic therapy, major surgery done to |
| called photofrin is injected intravenously. This drug has | | | | eliminate lung cancer usually poses much greater risks. |
| the property of making body cells very sensitive to | | | | Many tumors that are inoperable because of their |
| light. Normal, healthy cells eliminate photofrin, but | | | | location are prime candidates for treatment with PDT. |
| cancerous cells are unable to do so and the drug is | | | | When used as a palliative, this type of lung cancer |
| retained in such cells. | | | | treatment offers almost immediate relief. |
| In the second stage of PDT, about forty to fifty | | | | Given all these advantages, increasing numbers of |
| hours after the injection is given, a flexible tube is | | | | patients have been using photodynamic therapy as a |
| inserted into the bronchia. This tube contains a red | | | | lung cancer treatment of choice. |