The application of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of metastatic endobronchial disease.
OBJECTIVE
We utilized photodynamic therapy (PDT) for palliation of metastatic endobronchial tumors employing sensitization with synthetic porphyrin, application of non-thermal light, and endoscopic debridement of necrotic tumor.


METHODS
Nine patients with symptomatic endobronchial metastasis from carcinomas of the colon(3), breast(3), kidney(2), and tongue(1) received PDT.


RESULTS
After two PDT treatments, patients showed substantial response, which was complete in all but one. One patient had perioperative complications and expired 2 days after developing massive hemoptysis during tumor debridement. Patient survival was 6.38 months (mean) and 4.2 months (median). Most patients died from advanced metastatic disease. One patient with metastasis limited to the airway is still alive 24 months following endobronchial presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT ameliorates symptoms of metastatic airway obstruction, is easy to apply, has low morbidity and improves the quality of life.
Magro
Cynthia M
CM
Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Abbas
Abbas E
AE
Ross
Patrick
P