Photodynamic Therapy for Lung Cancer The Thompson Cancer Survival Center has announced the use of photodynamic therapy as a potentially curative treatment of early endobronchial lung cancer - cancer in the network of airways delivering air to the lungs. The Thompson Center is the first facility in Tennessee, and among only a few select cancer centers around the country, to offer this exciting treatment to its patients. Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, uses a light-sensitive drug, called Photofrin, and laser light to kill cancer cells. The drug is injected into the patient and concentrates in tumors. Photofrin remains inactive until it is combined with a special laser light. The light activates the drug which produces a toxic form of oxygen that destroys tumor tissue. For endobronchial lung tumors, the patient is injected with Photofrin. Two days later, laser light is delivered through a small optical fiber inserted through a bronchoscope, an instrument used for examination of the bronchial tubes. One to two days after the laser treatment, destroyed tumor tissue is removed during a second bronchoscopy procedure. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis; however, an overnight hospital stay may be recommended for some patients. According to Dr. Vijay Patil, the thoracic surgeon participating in this treatment, lung PDT offers several advantages over standard treatment. "The primary benefits of lung PDT are the limited side effects, preservation of the lung, and the fact that PDT can be repeated if necessary," said Dr. Patil. The doctor also notes a few limitations of the procedure. "Lung PDT is useful in patients with early-stage lung cancers in the bronchial tubes. Cancers that have advanced, even locally, cannot be treated with this procedure," said Dr. Patil. Currently, photodynamic therapy is approved by the FDA for treatment of cancer of the esophagus and early lung cancer. However, the Thompson Center offers clinical trials using photodynamic therapy for a variety of other conditions such as pre-cancerous Barrett's esophagus, skin cancer, cutaneous metastatic breast cancer, kaposi's sarcoma and specific types of oral cancer. Thompson's Laser Center is an international leader in the field of photodynamic therapy for Barrett's esophagus, a non-surgical treatment that was developed in collaboration with scientists at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee. "Lung PDT is the most recent laser treatment offered at the Laser Center," said Masoud Panjehpour, Ph.D., PDT program coordinator. " We have treated hundreds of patients with other types of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. Patients have come to the Thompson Center from about forty states -- from as far away as California, Oregon and Hawaii", said Dr. Panjehpour. Lung photodynamic therapy is recommended as a potentially curative treatment for microinvasive endobronchial cancer in patients who are not good candidates for or have refused surgery or radiation. The primary side effect of PDT is light sensitivity. Photofrin stays in the skin for about four weeks, therefore, patients must avoid direct exposure to sunlight and bright lights during this time. If you have any questions please call the Laser Center at (865) 541-1433 or fax (865) 541-1585.