Photodynamic therapy of 168 early stage cancers of the lung and oesophagus: A Japanese multi-centre study

In 1994, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan approved photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of early stage lung cancer (TO and T1), superficial oesophageal cancer, superficial early stage gastric cancer and carcinoma in situ and/or dysplasia of the cervix, The decision to do so was based on studies carried out by the PDT Research Group of the Ministry, including PDT treatment of 168 early stage central lung cancers (123 superficial lesions and 45 nodular lesions) and 32 superficial oesophageal cancers. The results presented in this article were analysed according to the extent of the lesion. Of the 123 superficial lung cancers, complete remission (CR) was obtained in 93% of 89 lesions less than 1.0 cm in diameter. Larger lesions responded less well. Complete remission was obtained in 97% of the 33 superficial oesophageal cancers, although three of six patients with lesions over 3.0 cm in diameter later died of metastatic disease. The authors believe PDT to be a suitable and effective treatment for early stage lung and oesophageal cancers.