Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 10:208-210 (1990)
Case Report Long-Term Survival of a Lung Cancer Patient Treated With Photodynamic Therapy J. Stuart Nelson, MD, PhD, Ronald D. Fairshter, MD, and Michael W. Berns, PhD Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, lrvine 92715
A 63-year-old male, status post-right pneumonectomy, presented with hemoptysis. Although chest X-ray and CAT scan film findings were negative, bronchoscopy with biopsy from the left mainstem bronchus demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma. Because of the inoperable location of the lesion, the patient was treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in February 1984. At present, the patient is cancer free more then 6 years after PDT. Key words: squamous cell carcinoma, PDT, hematoporphyrin derivative
INTRODUCTION
Lung carcinomas are a major health problem throughout the world and are a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in several nations. In 1989 it was estimated that there would be 140,000 new cases of lung cancer and approximately 100,000 deaths from the disease in the United States in that year [ll. Despite warnings that emphasize risk associated with tobacco abuse, air pollution, and certain occupational practices, the incidence of this malignancy continues t o rise. The management of patients with malignancies of the tracheobronchial tree continues t o present a formidable challenge to the practicing physician. Although mass screening programs for high-risk populations, with sputum cytology, chest X-ray, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy, have improved early detection, only a small percentage of patients (
Case Report Long-Term Survival of a Lung Cancer Patient Treated With Photodynamic Therapy J. Stuart Nelson, MD, PhD, Ronald D. Fairshter, MD, and Michael W. Berns, PhD Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, lrvine 92715
A 63-year-old male, status post-right pneumonectomy, presented with hemoptysis. Although chest X-ray and CAT scan film findings were negative, bronchoscopy with biopsy from the left mainstem bronchus demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma. Because of the inoperable location of the lesion, the patient was treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in February 1984. At present, the patient is cancer free more then 6 years after PDT. Key words: squamous cell carcinoma, PDT, hematoporphyrin derivative
INTRODUCTION
Lung carcinomas are a major health problem throughout the world and are a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in several nations. In 1989 it was estimated that there would be 140,000 new cases of lung cancer and approximately 100,000 deaths from the disease in the United States in that year [ll. Despite warnings that emphasize risk associated with tobacco abuse, air pollution, and certain occupational practices, the incidence of this malignancy continues t o rise. The management of patients with malignancies of the tracheobronchial tree continues t o present a formidable challenge to the practicing physician. Although mass screening programs for high-risk populations, with sputum cytology, chest X-ray, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy, have improved early detection, only a small percentage of patients (
