Photodynamic therapy in oncology: advantages and disadvantages

Oncological diseases are at one of the first places in terms of mortality among the population. In recent years, the number of cancerous tumors has sharply increased, which are diagnosed in patients. Unfortunately, they do not have any age restrictions - this disease affects the adult population, so it does not spare children.

In our time, more and more new methods of cancer treatment are being applied, medicine in this matter has advanced far ahead. One of such methods is photodynamic therapy in oncology. We will get acquainted with this method a little more in our article.

The concept of photodynamic therapy

This method of treatment has the abbreviated name of PDT, and its essence boils down to the use of light and certain groups of drugs called photosensitizers. Under the influence of light, a drug substance accumulated in a cancerous tumor begins to destructively affect its cells.

Depending on the location of the neoplasm, the drug can be injected into the bloodstream or applied to the skin. After a short period of time, it is absorbed by the tissues, and then a ray of light is directed to this section.

Let us examine what his biophysics consist of. Photodynamic therapy in oncology after hit by a light beam is reduced to chemical interaction with the participation of oxygen, as a result of this, cancer cells die. With this therapy, you have to remove small blood vessels to deprive the swelling of the feed.

Stages of FD therapy

Photodynamic therapy in oncology includes several stages:

1. The introduction of a sensitizing solution intravenously.
2. Accumulation of a drug in tissues affected by a cancerous tumor. Given the variety of tissues and drugs, this stage sometimes lasts up to several days. It is at this time, experts diagnose the tumor, based on the degree of concentration of the sensitizer.
3. Stage of irradiation of the tumor with laser beams. If the cancer tumor is too deep, then LED tubes are used to deliver the rays . Under the influence of the laser begins a toxic reaction, as a result of which cancer cells die, while adjacent healthy tissues are not affected.
4. The stage of disintegration of a cancerous tumor and the restoration of tissues that have undergone a mutation. Duration is about a month.

How photodynamic therapy is used in oncology

This type of therapy serves to significantly improve the quality of life of patients. PDT has no long negative effects, but it is not so widely used in all countries.

Photodynamic therapy in oncology in Moscow has been used since 1998. Currently, there are 5 offices in the capital, in which this procedure is carried out. Already about 2 thousand patients received treatment with this method.

In Oncological Clinical Dispensary No. 1 contact PDT was developed and used. Laser irradiation, which is carried out in this way, makes it possible to increase the depth of penetration of the rays to 2 cm.

Advantages of this method of treatment

PDT is an innovative method of combating cancer and precancerous formations. Currently, at the initial stages of oncology, he is trying to apply, since photodynamic therapy in oncology benefits is enormous:

• It is possible to work only on cancer cells.
• Patients easily tolerate the procedure at any age.
• Therapy has a sparing effect on organs and tissues affected by a cancerous tumor.
• With skin cancer, the procedure gives a 100% effective result.

• With oncology of the cervix, this method is the most effective, as it allows to preserve the reproductive system of a woman.
• Treatment can be done on an outpatient basis.
• If necessary, you can apply again.
• Has no systemic complications.
• Using this method, it is possible to remove tumors in hard-to-reach places.
• During the procedure, the patient is conscious.
• The method is completely painless.
• Photodynamic therapy in oncology can be used as an independent method of treatment and as part of complex therapy.

The method has a destructive effect on cancer cells, and also virucidal (capable of destroying human papilloma virus), fungicidal, bactericidal and immunomodulating. Having such a large number of advantages makes it popular.

Disadvantages of the method

In addition to a lot of advantages, the method has its drawbacks:

• Therapy is limited to light access. That is, the part that lies directly under the skin lends itself to treatment. Because of this, it is impossible to use a method to get rid of cancer cells that have spread over virtually all organs and tissues.
• After photosensitizers, sensitivity to light persists for some time.

But from the above it can be seen that the lack of photodynamic therapy in oncology is insignificant.

Indications for use of the method

It should be noted that PDT is used not only to get rid of cancerous tumors, but also for the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, lupus and other skin diseases. Photodynamic therapy is used to get rid of various forms of cancer and therapy of precancerous conditions. It is effective in eye diseases and dermatological problems.

In addition, the method described treats non-healing wounds and trophic ulcers.

Who does not see the PDT procedure

Photodynamic therapy in oncology has contraindications, but insignificant. It is not carried out:

• If there are kidney and liver pathologies;
• In the stage of decompensation of the disease of the cardiovascular system;
• With excessive sensitivity to the drug;
• With blood diseases.

The method is contraindicated both during the bearing of the child, and also during the period of breastfeeding.

Photodynamic therapy in oncology should be used only after consultation with a physician so that all available contraindications can be identified.

The drugs used in therapy

For this method of treatment, oncologists are using drugs that can be divided into two groups:

1. Sensitizers of the first generation, with porphyrins.
2. Photosensitizers of the second generation.

Regardless of the group, the drug has special requirements:

• Has the property of concentrating in large numbers in cancerous tumors and does not penetrate into healthy tissues;
• After the procedure is quickly removed from the body and has a low toxicity;
• Does not accumulate in the skin;
• Has a resistance to storage and introduction into the bloodstream;
• Possesses luminescent qualities.

Review of preparations for PDT

The method of photodynamic therapy in oncology is often used with the use of the drug "Photofrin". It is activated using red color. And they use it in the therapy of the following conditions:

• Cancers of the larynx. After the procedure, the patient feels better, especially when using the drug, when the tumor reaches a size that almost blocks the larynx, and laser therapy can not cope with it.
• Esophagus of Berret. The drug is used as a preventive procedure to prevent the development of oncology.
• Lungs' cancer.

Aminolivulinic acid is used in the case of the appearance of senile keratosis. It is applied directly to the skin and activated in blue. Can be applied only on the face and head.

There are other drugs, but they are used much less often.

The process of treatment with the help of "Fotofrina"

The said drug is administered intravenously. Penetrating inside, it begins to be absorbed not only by cancer cells, but also healthy throughout the body. Absolutely healthy cells within a few days will be completely cleared of the substance, and in cancerous cells it will be preserved.

But if you do nothing further, nothing will happen to the tumor. The reaction begins only when there is an effect of light, with a certain wavelength, on the cells.

If a procedure is needed to cure lung cancer, then a bronchoscope is used to get the most out of the affected tissue. Doctors for PDT use a laser with a small power, so no burns to tissues are not threatened.

The duration of the procedure depends on the size of the tumor and its location (usually from 5 to 45 minutes). Dead cells and tissues disappear in a few days. After verification, if necessary, repeat the procedure.

It should be borne in mind that therapy with the use of "Fotofrina" is not allowed to all, it is contraindicated, if there is:

• Fistula between esophagus and bronchi;
• A cancerous tumor that spreads through large blood vessels;
• Stomach ulcer or enlarged veins;
• Allergy to the drug.

All questions are necessarily discussed with the doctor before the procedure.

Side Effects of PDT

The most common side effect of the procedure with the use of "Photofrin" is increased photosensitivity. Sometimes there is still swelling in the place of treatment and a little soreness.

After the drug enters the body, it accumulates in cells and tissues and after a few days, and sometimes even weeks, after the procedure can remain in the cells. All this time the patient's eyes and skin are sensitive enough to light. From bright light, unprotected areas begin to swell and blister in just a few minutes.

This sensitivity can last for several months, it all depends on the characteristics of the body. It is necessary all this time to avoid direct sunlight, but this does not mean that it is necessary to sit in a dark room. Dosed daylight helps to destroy the substance in the cells and helps to restore them.

Gradually the sensitivity will decrease, and you can check it, but not earlier than one month after PDT.

In the role of other effects may be a swelling in the place of therapy. If the procedure was carried out on the throat, then at first there will be problems with swallowing, and after manipulations on the lungs - with breathing. If you find these symptoms, you should immediately call your doctor. Other side effects include the following:

• Nausea, vomiting, headache, hiccups - if PDT was performed on the esophagus;
• Shortness of breath, development of bronchitis or pneumonia - may be after treatment of the lungs.

All such manifestations must be informed by the doctor.

Recommendations after therapy

You can avoid significant side effects after therapy, if you know how to prepare for it and behave correctly after the procedure. For this, the following recommendations should be observed:

1. Going to the hospital for photodynamic therapy, it is necessary to close all windows and curtains at home, and also to ensure that the lamps are protected by lampshades or in another way.
2. Take with you to the hospital necessarily sunglasses, headgear (preferably a hat with wide margins) to protect the face. Clothing should have a long sleeve, and on the legs - trousers and socks (in this situation, the hope for sunscreen is small).
3. After the procedure for 30 days, it is advisable not to be on the street at noon hours, and when leaving, it is necessary to protect the skin even in cloudy weather.
4. All urgent and urgent cases should be moved to the evening.
5. At home reading must be protected from direct light from the lamp.
6. After washing the head, do not use a dryer to dry it - hot air can activate the remaining substance in the cells and provoke redness and burn.

If you follow all these recommendations, then photodynamic therapy in oncology will show the maximum efficiency, and the patient will be satisfied with the result.

Reviews about the procedure

Any method of therapy can not be equally successfully applied for the treatment of all patients. But photodynamic therapy in oncology reviews is mostly good. Patients note that after the procedure their condition improved markedly, this is especially true of cancerous tumors on the skin, other skin diseases. After PDT, there is almost no scars left, the skin becomes cleaner.

Patients report painlessness of therapy, a small number of side effects. But it should be noted that almost all patients talk about increased photosensitivity after the procedure. You have to avoid bright light and protect your eyes and skin from getting hit.

Photodynamic therapy in oncology reviews is negative only in those who did not follow the doctor's recommendations and did not report on the concomitant diseases. It should be noted that with cancer of the larynx or lungs, the therapy is complex, and after it there may be problems with swallowing and breathing, but these are temporary phenomena that will gradually pass.

After treatment, almost all patients are satisfied with the result, especially if the procedure was performed by a high-class specialist. So, photodynamic therapy in oncology in Novosibirsk is studied by the remarkable professor Sergey Danilovich Nikonov. He developed PDT for the brain, as well as a method for the therapy of carcinomatous pleurisy, on this occasion he published a lot of publications and scientific papers.

In other cities, there are also clinics that specialize in treating cancer in the manner described. Photodynamic therapy in oncology in Krasnodar is available in the clinical oncological dispensary № 1. This medical institution is equipped with the latest technology, so patients in the success of treatment can not doubt.

Fortunately, at the present time even such a terrible disease as cancer is not a verdict. The most important thing is to reveal it at the stage when it can be successfully coped with. And for this, just something to take more care about your health and regularly undergo medical examinations. Take care of yourself and be well!