ABSTRACT
The formation of the Collaborative Study Group on Photodynamic Therapy in Germany, in 1986, was based on the promising experimental and clinical experience with photodynamic therapy (PDT) accumulated by Jocham and coworkers since 1977. Tumor-selective photosensitization and specific illumination systems are the indispensable prerequisites for effective PDT. Because of the geometric inhomo-geneities of various organ surfaces, the complex anatomy of the organs, and the sometimes difficult access to the treatment target areas, the light application systems have to fulfill several requirements. Photodynamic therapy of advanced carcinomas can only be palliative, and complete remissions usually cannot be achieved because of the limited effective penetration depth of PDT. The chapter summarizes new developments for light delivery systems in PDT and the current clinical applications of PDT in Germany. Whereas the applicability of PDT in urology and pneumology is limited, it seems to be an alternative to surgical treatment in ear-nose-and-throat-tumors.
