Photodynamic therapy as the "last hope" for tongue-based carcinoma

Waseem Jerjes,Sorcha Mackay,Charles Alexander Mosse,Zaid Hamdoon,Rishi Bhandari,Simon Morley,Farai Nhembe,Tahwinder Upile,Colin Hopper

doi:10.1186/1758-3284-2-s1-o27

Abstract

The management of base of tongue carcinoma continue to be a major challenge in head and neck oncology. Our aim in this prospective study was to evaluate the outcome following ultrasound-guided interstitial photodynamic therapy (US-iPDT) of stage IV tongue base carcinoma. Patients’ reports on quality of life with clinical and radiological evaluation were the main end point parameters used to assess the outcome.

Highlights

The management of base of tongue carcinoma continue to be a major challenge in head and neck oncology
Material/methods Thirty-three consecutive patients were referred to the UCLH Head and Neck Centre for treatment of advanced tongue base cancer
It was decided that the only available option is to offer ultrasound-guided interstitial photodynamic therapy (US-iPDT) under general anaesthesia, using mTHPC as the photosensitising agent

Summary

Open Access

Waseem Jerjes*, Tahwinder Upile, Zaid Hamdoon, Farai Nhembe, Rishi Bhandari, Sorcha Mackay, Charles Alexander Mosse, Simon Morley, Colin Hopper. From 2nd Scientific Meeting of the Head and Neck Optical Diagnostics Society San Francisco, CA, USA. From 2nd Scientific Meeting of the Head and Neck Optical Diagnostics Society San Francisco, CA, USA. 23-24 January 2010

Introduction

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