Bronchoscopic phototherapy using hematoporphyrin derivative.

Phototherapy in the presence of hematoporphyrin (HPD) produces cytotoxicity through both energy- and power-dependent mechanisms. The resulting cellular death demonstrates the promise of HPD in the therapy of small cancers. This article reports our clinical experience and follow-up results of treating 19 patients with cancer of the tracheobronchial tree, who have completed at least one course of HPD administered via the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope.