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Palliation of esophageal malignancy with photoradiation therapy
Author(s) -
McCaughan James S.,
Hicks William,
Laufman Leslie,
May Eugene,
Roach Ralph
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19841215)54:12<2905::aid-cncr2820541215>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - medicine , dysphagia , surgery , malignancy , swallowing , esophagus , hematoporphyrin , photodynamic therapy , chemistry , organic chemistry
Seven patients with severe or complete obstruction of the esophagus by malignancy were treated with photoradiation after presensitization of the tumor with intravenous hematoporphyrin derivative. The 625 to 635‐nm therapeutic light was delivered from a tunable dye argon laser system coupled through quartz fibers, passed through the biopsy channel of a flexible esophagoscope, with local anesthesia. All tumors (adeno, squamous, and melanoma) responded, and swallowing was improved. Although tumor is still present, one patient is 11 months from initial treatment and is eating a regular diet. Another patient is 8 months from initial treatment and has no dysphagia. One patient died of aspiration of gastric tube feedings and 3 others died of their disease at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively, from their initial treatment. Another patient died 11 months from his initial treatment due to a cardiac arrhythmia. During the 11 months after his initial treatment he continued to eat a regular diet.