Publication: Photodynamic therapy for residual or recurrent cancer of the nasopharynx
Issued Date
1999-11-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01252208
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0033500549
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.82, No.11 (1999), 1110-1117
Suggested Citation
Boonchu Kulapaditharom, Vipa Boonkitticharoen Photodynamic therapy for residual or recurrent cancer of the nasopharynx. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.82, No.11 (1999), 1110-1117. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/25568
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Title
Photodynamic therapy for residual or recurrent cancer of the nasopharynx
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Abstract
Adequate or effective treatments are not always available for most recurrent or residual nasopharyngeal cancers (NPC). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) was evaluated for its effectiveness in treating patients, who conventionally failed, with curative or palliative intent. Thirteen patients were treated from March 1994 to November 1998. PDT was given to eradicate tumor cells, debulk tumor mass for other treatment options, and to resolve obstruction. Long-term tumor control could be achieved in 6 patients with localized lesions at T1-T2stages. The mean disease free survival time was 25.8 months (range 5-61 months). For tumors beyond T2stage (7 cases), PDT in combination with chemotherapy, laser surgery or radiotherapy induced complete response in 1 out of 5 patients (survival time = 40 months) and partial response in the rest (survival time = 16-37 months). In two patients who refused or were in tolerable to further treatment, PDT yielded useful palliative results (i.e. resolve nasal obstruction and epistaxis). On an overall basis, the average survival time for these patients with relatively advanced diseases was 24.7 months (range 9-40 months). Our study demonstrated that HpD-PDT could effectively control locally recurrent or residual NPC at T1-T2stages and offered good palliation for more advanced diseases. Combined PDT and chemotherapy seemed to prolong survival time for a period longer than 2 years in T3-T4tumors.