[Photodynamic therapy for genitourinary carcinomas--report of 26 tumors in 17 patients].

Twenty-six genito-urinary carcinomas in 17 patients were treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT). The complete response rate was 88.5%, significant response rate 7.7% and mild response rate 3.8%. Three tumors recurred (including 1 cancer in situ) during 9-23 months follow-up. Ultrastructurally, it was found that the necrosis of the malignant cells developed gradually and mitochondria was the major target of injury. No deleterious side effect was found.