Photodynamic therapy of brain tumors--a work in progress.
OBJECTIVE
PDT has been used in the treatment of malignant brain tumors. This communication updates our series of unselected malignant gliomas treated with Photofrin-PDT.


METHODS
We examined the records of 112 patients with malignant gliomas, metastatic brain tumors and meningiomas treated with Photofrin-PDT at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto. These patients were treated prior to the onset of ongoing randomized trials in Photofrin PDT or had pathology that excluded them from such trials.


RESULTS
The overall post-PDT survival of 96 patients with supratentorial gliomas was 42 weeks, with a 40 and 22% 1- and 2-year survival, respectively. The greater the degree of oligodendroglial involvement the longer was the survival. Seventy-five percent of patients had no significant post-operative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Photofrin-PDT was safe. However, higher light doses than were used in these patients may be required for improved responses.
Muller
Paul J
PJ
Division of Neurosurgery, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. mullerp@smh.toronto.on.ca
Wilson
Brian C
BC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D008579:Meningioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether