[Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in roentgenographically occult lung cancer by photofrin II and excimer dye laser].

UNLABELLED: Patients (pts) with hilar type early lung cancer from 5 hospitals served as the subjects to assess the complete response rate and toxicity of PDT with Photofrin II (PHE) and excimer dye laser (PDT EDL-1). ENTRY CRITERIA: 1. Histologically proven lung cancer with endoscopically superficial thickening or small protrusion. 2. All lesions that were located proximally from the subsegmental bronchus, were visible to the distal margin of the lesions. 3. N0M0.

METHOD: All pts received PHE (2 mg/kg) i.v., 48 hours before PDT. Tumor lesions superficially photoradiated by an excimer dye laser via flexible bronchoscope.

RESULTS

From September 1990 to March 1992, 39 pts with 46 carcinomas (CA) were enrolled. Thirty-three pts with 40 CA were evaluable. 1.

RESPONSE: Thirty-five in 40 CA showed a complete response (CR) (87.5%, 95% confidence limit: 73.2-95.8%). All 32 cases of CA equal to or less than 1 cm of tumor length were CR, but 3 CA relapsed locally. Thirty-three of 35 CA visible to the distal margin were CR (91.7%, 95% confidence limit: 77.5-98.3%). 2. Toxicity (> WHO grade 2): Three pts (7.7%) had transient dermatitis and sunburn, while another pt (2.6%) had symptoms due to obstructive pneumonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumors equal to or less than 1 cm in length and visible to the distal margin are curable by PDT.