Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a curative treatment for patients who have been unable to undergo lung cancer surgery or radiotherapy to treat their non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma.

What is Photodynamic Therapy?

PDT involves the injection of the drug Photofrin (the brand name of a particular photosynthesizer) into the bloodstream. Within 40 hours of injection, Photofrin illuminates the cancer with red laser light so that it can be viewed using a fiberoptic bronchoscope.

Next, the red laser light—combined with the Photofrin—spurs a localized, toxic chemical reaction, ultimately killing nearby exposed cancer cells but preserving healthy tissue. Two days after the red laser light treatment, the fiberoptic bronchoscope is extracted and dead cancer cells and tissues are scraped away.

Side Effects of Photodynamic Therapy

PDT patients typically experience extreme sensitivity to outdoor light for four to eight weeks following treatment (due to the lingering of the photosynthesizer in the body). Patients are especially susceptible to sunburn but can tolerate indoor light.

Photodynamic Therapy Success Rates

PDT is quite effective in treating small tumors as well as alleviating the symptoms of lung cancer, including shortness of breath and the coughing up of blood.

Locate a Lung Cancer Attorney in Your Area

If you or someone you care about has developed lung cancer, it is important for you to speak with a lung cancer lawyer to learn about your legal entitlements. Use our legal directory to find a lung cancer lawyer in your state.