Abstract
One hundred and thirty six patients with lung cancer were treated photodynamically by administration of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) and argon dye laser irradiation. The effectiveness of this therapy was evaluated, and the indications and limitations were discussed. The patients consisted of 127 males and 9 females and ages varied from 36 to 85 years. As far as the clinical stage is concerned, 32 cases were early stage (stage Ia according to the UICC classification), 18 were non-early stage I, 11 were stage II, 56 stage III and 20 stage IV, respectively. Histologically there were 106 squamous cell carcinomas, 14 adenocarcinomas, 6 large cell carcinomas, 6 small cell carcinomas, one case of adenoid cystic carcinoma and 3 cases of bronchial metastases of malignant melanoma and renal carcinoma. Complete remission was observed in 23 out of the 33 early stage lesions. Tumor recurrence was recognized in 2 cases out of the 22 cases which had showed complete remission. All cases showed at least partial remission of tumor. The indications for PDT should be limited to the treatment of early stage lung cancer in order to obtain complete cure and to the palliative treatment of advanced lesions to improve performance status.
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