Photodynamic Therapy and Its Use in Lung Disease

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is approved in the USA for curative treatment of microinvasive endobronchial non-small cell lung cancer and palliation of symptoms with obstructing endobronchial non-small cell lung cancer. New data support its use with positive margins after surgical resection. Emerging data suggest it is both safe and efficacious for use in the periphery with non-small cell lung cancer. Several case series have demonstrated its utility with endobronchial disease from small cell lung cancer. Recent studies have examined its use with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and endobronchial typical carcinoid tumor. As further data are collected, the application of photodynamic therapy for thoracic malignancy will likely continue to expand.