Role of Photodynamic Therapy in the Palliation of Obstructing Esophageal Cancer.
10.3904/kjim.2012.27.3.278
- Author:
Hyeon Young YOON
1
;
Young Koog CHEON
;
Hye Jin CHOI
;
Chan Sup SHIM
Author Information
1. Digestive Disease Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. yksky001@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Dysphagia;
Esophageal neoplasms;
Photodynamic therapy;
Radiotherapy
- MeSH:
Adenocarcinoma/complications/mortality/*therapy;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Biopsy;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/complications/mortality/*therapy;
Deglutition Disorders/etiology/*therapy;
Esophageal Neoplasms/complications/mortality/*therapy;
Esophageal Stenosis/etiology/*therapy;
Esophagoscopy;
Female;
Humans;
Kaplan-Meier Estimate;
Male;
Metals;
Middle Aged;
*Neoplasm Recurrence, Local;
Palliative Care;
*Photochemotherapy/adverse effects;
Prospective Studies;
Prosthesis Design;
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant;
Stents;
Time Factors;
Treatment Outcome
- From:The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
2012;27(3):278-284
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this non-randomized study was to determine the role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in a multimodal approach for the palliation of advanced esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with obstructing esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study. Each subject had dysphagia, and nine could not swallow fluid. External beam radiotherapy or a self-expandable metal stent was used following PDT for dysphagia due to recurrence of the malignancy. RESULTS: At 4 weeks post-PDT, a significant improvement in the dysphagia score was observed in 90% of patients, from 2.75 +/- 0.91 to 1.05 +/- 0.83 (p < 0.05). Patients with recurrent dysphagia underwent stent insertion at an average of 63 days (range, 37 to 90). The rate of major complications was 10%. Two esophageal strictures occurred, which were treated by placement of a modified expandable stent across the stricture. The median survival in these cases was 7.0 +/- 0.6 months. One patient that was treated with PDT and radiotherapy is alive and showed a complete tumor response. CONCLUSIONS: PDT as a multimodality treatment is safe and effective for relieving malignant esophageal obstruction with minimal complications.
