Preliminary results of photodynamic therapy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising new modality in the treatment of cancer. In Hong Kong where nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic, radiotherapy has been the primary treatment of choice. For recurrent disease after radiotherapy, there is no effective treatment, This latter report summarizes our initial experience in using PDT for these patients. Twelve patients (three females and nine males) with ages ranging from 33 to 65 years were treated with an infusion of hematoporphyrin derivative (5 mg/kg) 48-72 h before exposure to 200 J/cm(2) light (wavelength, 630 nm) delivered from a gold vapor laser. All 12 patients showed a dramatic response as judged by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months post-PDT. Of the eight patients in whom cure was aimed for, three remained disease-free at 9-12 months after a single treatment. Three of the remaining four patients achieved useful palliation. Skin hypersensitivity occurred in two patients and was the only significant complication encountered. This experience indicates that PDT can be an encouraging palliative or definitive management for recurrent superficial NPC.