PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF CARCINOMAS OF THE INNER AND OUTER GENITAL REGION

At our department photodynamic therapy (PDT) of malignancies of the fe male genital region has been performed since 1988. Up to now our study includes 13 patients aged between 60 to 84 years. Indication for ther pay was assigned in 7 cases of nonpretreated endometrial carcinomas (F IGO 1 a), whereas in 6 patients with recurrences and residual tumors a fter conventional therapy. PDT started with intravenous administration of a metal free hematoporphyrin derivative (Photosan III, 2 mg/kg bod y weight). After an interval of 24 to 72 hours we illuminated tumor ti ssue with monochromatic light of an Argon dye laser (tuned at 632 +/- 5 nm, 3 watts maximal power output). For light delivery a glass fibre with 600 micron core diameter was used. Up to a tumor depth infiltrati on of < 1 cm only superficial illumination was performed, in case of d eeper infiltration we also carried out an interstitial irradiation. Ef ficacy of therapy was verified 1 month after treatment by means of his tology. We found complete remission in 8 patients, partial remission > 50 % in 2 cases. For these patients PDT was successful not only as pr imary therapy (N = 5), but also for recidives and residual tumors. In 3 patients, however, therapy failed. In these patients (not pretreated bleeding adenocarcinomas of the uterus) a subsequent brachyradiothera py was successful.