Photodynamic therapy in gastroenterology.
Photodynamic therapy is a new endoscopic procedure for the treatment of malignant or premalignant structure lesions. The underlying principle is selective destruction of tumor cells, which, after accumulating a so called photosensitizer, are irradiated with light of a particular wavelength. Clinical experience to date suggests that, in the field of gastroenterology, endoscopically accessible tumors located within the esophagus, the stomach, or the colorectum of patients with a high surgical risk are particularly suitable for such treatment. If such tumors are limited in size, they can often be treated with curative intent, and remission rates better than 90% can be achieved. Also, palliatively, the tumor mass can be reduced appreciably in a large percentage of patients. The main side effect of this treatment is photosensitization of the skin; perforations and hemorrhage are rare. Improvements in technology and photosensitizers suggest that the procedure will become an established part of the therapeutic concept for gastrointestinal diseases.
Sander
R
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First Medical Department, Municipal Hospital Harlaching, München, Germany.
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy