Photodynamic laser therapy for the treatment of early-stage bronchogenic carcinoma.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective modality that can be used in the treatment of bronchogenic squamous cancer. PDT can be curative in cases of early-stage central type lung cancer and, for this reason, is an alternative to surgery in patients with in situ carcinoma or minimally invasive squamous cell carcinoma. PDT was performed in 26 early bronchogenic cancers in 23 patients, and 16 complete remissions and 10 partial remissions were obtained. It is concluded that photodynamic therapy is effective in the treatment of superficial lung cancer in which complete remission can be expected. The combination of different endoscopic therapeutic modalities and trials comparing endoscopic therapy with surgical resection are anticipated.