Photodynamic therapy and head and neck cancer treatment

Fifty-two patients with neoplastic diseases of the larynx, oral cavity, pharynx and skin have been treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) with follow-up to 60 months. Patients with carcinoma-in situ and T1 carcinomas obtained a complete response after one PDT treatment. All but two have remained free of disease. Five patients with massive neck recurrences of squamous cell carcinomas were treated with intraoperative adjuvant PDT following tumour resection. Only one developed recurrence with 24-month follow-up. PDT is highly effective for the curative treatment of early carcinomas (CIS, T1) of the head and neck. Also, intraoperative adjuvant PDT may increase cure rates of large infiltrating carcinomas of the head and neck.