Clinical photodynamic therapy for superficial cancer in the oesophagus andthe bronchi: 514 nm compared with 630 nm light irradiation after sensitization with Photofrin II

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer in the oesophagus and bronchi with re d (630 nm) light may occasionally lead to wall perforation and fistula. The refore, we investigated the clinical use of a less penetrating wavelength ( 514 nm) for the curative treatment of nine superficial carcinomas in the oe sophagus and bronchi after photosensitization with Photofrin ii. Tumours wi thout infiltration beyond the submucosa in the oesophagus and beyond the la mina propria in the bronchi were considered as superficial cancers. The out come and complications were compared with those of 13 superficial cancers t reated with PDT and 630 nm light. In addition, we evaluated histologically the extent of the long-term tissue damage and scarring following treatment of six oesophageal cancers with either green or red light. At first endosco pic control, 7-10 days after PDT, tissue necrosis simply matched the illumi nated area, without evidence of selective tumour damage. Six of nine tumour s treated with 514 nm light had a complete response compared with nine of 1 3 after 630 nm irradiation. No perforation or fistula occurred in either tr eatment group. However, severe chest pain and fever with or without pleural effusion, consistent with occult perforation, were observed in three patie nts after 630 nm illumination in the oesophagus. Histologically, fibrous sc arring in the three distinct sites treated with green light was limited to the superficial layers of the oesophagus. After red light treatment, transm ural fibrosis with marked thinning of the oesophageal wall was evident in t wo of the three specimens available for inspection. These results indicate that PDT with 514 nm light has the potential to cure superficial cancer in the oesophagus and bronchi with essentially the same probability of success as red light. In the oesophagus, green light prevents deep tissue damage, thus reducing the risk of perforation.