title: Photodynamic therapy: esophagus.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive, organ-preserving therapeutic modality, involving three separate components - light, oxygen and a photosensitizing drug. The principles of PDT are described, and the indications for its use are reviewed. Although a widespread clinical application for PDT has not yet emerged, PDT may establish itself as an endoscopic procedure with few or no side effects in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus (high-grade dysplasia and early carcinoma) and, in selected cases, for the treatment of early squamous cell carcinoma.
mesh_terms: D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents