ABSTRACT

This chapter presents the complications of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and its effect when used in combination with other treatment modalities. Treatment with PDT can take place anytime between 2 and 7 days after injection of the sensitizer. In one study, 92 patients with endobronchial or endotracheal malignancies were treated with either the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser or PDT. Virtually all tumor cell types can be treated with PDT. The treatment is ideal for tubular structures, such as bronchi, bile ducts, urethra, and ureters, because the maximum diameter of an endotubular tumor is less than 1 cm, and the 630-nm light will penetrate sufficiently to produce necrosis up to 0.5 cm. The most common complication from PDT for skin lesions is the undesirable effect on adjacent tissue. This problem is more likely to occur if large contiguous areas are treated after the same injection, even if treatment is on different days.