Meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin photodynamic therapy in early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new treatment modality for various types of cancer, including cancer of the head and neck. The advent of the second-generation photosensitizers such as meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) (Foscan; Scotia Pharmaceuticals, Stirling, Scotland), which are more effective and less phototoxic to the skin than their forerunners, now makes this treatment a feasible alternative to surgery or radiotherapy in specific cases. To evaluate the long-term outcome of this therapy for squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, we treated patients with PDT using mTHPC.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Tertiary cancer referral center.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with 29 T1-T2 N0 tumors of the oral cavity and/or oropharynx.


METHODS
Photodynamic therapy.


METHODS
Complete local tumor remission.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up of the patients after treatment was 37 months. In 25 (86%) of 29 tumors, a complete remission of the primary tumor was obtained. In the 4 recurrences, salvage was achieved by conventional therapy. In none of the patients was any long-term functional deficit detected.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms that PDT is a powerful treatment modality that could be considered as an alternative to surgery or radiotherapy in specific cases of head and neck cancer. The major advantage of PDT over these conventional therapies is the reduction in long-term morbidity. Radiotherapy or surgery could be reserved for salvage therapy in the event of a recurrence or second primary tumors.
Copper
Marcel P
MP
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute, and Otolaryngology, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Tan
I Bing
IB
Oppelaar
Hugo
H
Ruevekamp
Marjan C
MC
Stewart
Fiona A
FA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008652:Mesoporphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D008652:Mesoporphyrins; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C072269:temoporfin