Photofrin PDT for early stage oesophageal cancer: long term results in 40 patients and literature review.

BACKGROUND

Yorkshire Laser Centre experience of PDT in early oesophageal cancer (EOCa) to determine long survival at 3 and 5 years (absolute) and factors which might influence outcome.

MATERIAL/METHOD: The records of patients who had PDT (1997-2009) for oesophageal cancer were reviewed and those with EOCa were studied and analysed. All patients had standard work up and staging. PDT was carried out using Photofrin 2 mg/kw bw, iv followed 24-72 h later by endoscopic illumination with 630 nm laser light. Results were assessed based on pathological response to treatment and survival at 3 and 5 years post-PDT.

RESULTS

There were 40 patients with EOCa amongst 144 who had PDT for oesophageal cancer. 30 male and 10 female (mean age 77, range 48-84). 35 had adenocarcinoma and 5 squamous cell carcinoma. 20 of the former had Barrett's mucosa. There was no operative or 30-day mortality and no serious complications. Adverse effects were noted in 10 patients including 2 with skin photosensitivity and 3 with mild stricture requiring one dilatation. The median follow up was 76.1 (range 36-150 months). In this period 24 patients have died between 2 and 150 months (median 41 months). 16 patients are alive in between 36 and 110 months. 3 and >or=5 years or more survival (absolute) were 72.5% and 53.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic PDT should be considered as the treatment of choice in patients with EOCa who are ineligible for surgical resection. We suggest that a carefully designed study of a cohort of patients with EOCa comparing surgical resection with endoscopic PDT is warranted.