S. Abbas

The palliative role of PDT in recurrent advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Case series

We report on the application of photodynamic therapy in the management of recurrent advanced carcinoma of the nasopharynx. A selected cohort of 7 patients, only suitable for palliative therapy, was offered this modality to assess the palliative role of PDT. All 7 patients had at least 2 previous recurrences, which were managed with surgery and chemoradiotherapy but ultimately failed to respond. PDT was offered after careful discussion at a multidiscipline meeting. The photosensitiser mTHPC was introduced intravenously 96 h prior to delivering the light with nasoendoscopic guidance. Six patients symptoms were reduced markedly post photodynamic therapy. Five patients have to had another round of treatment which was found to be as effective as the first round in terms of controlling disease progression as well as symptoms. Magnetic resonance images showed variable reduction of tumour volume with the majority of the patients having moderate to significant response. Photodynamic therapy was very successful palliative therapy for this small group of recurrent advanced nasopharyngeal cancer patients.

Chondrosarcoma of the hyoid treated with interstitial photodynamic therapy

Interstitial PDT was performed using a baseline MRI scan as a guide. Clinical and radiological assessments at follow-up showed a promising reduction in lesional size. Conclusion Conventional management of chondrosarcoma includes conservative, intra-lesional steroids, chemotherapeutic drugs, radiotherapy and surgical excision. Unfortunately none of which are curative as the lesion inevitably recurs. The authors commend PDT as a repeatable treatment option in management of these lesions. from 1st Scientific Meeting of the Head and Neck Optical Diagnostics Society London, UK. 14 March 2009

Treatment of Kimura disease with photodynamic therapy: a case report

We report on the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the management of Kimura disease. A 58-year-old Asian male was offered this modality to assess the possibility to control disease progression. The patient was managed with surgery and the disease recurred and caused facial disfigurement. PDT was offered after careful discussion at UCLH multidiscipline meeting. The photosensitiser mTHPC was introduced intravenously 96h prior to delivering the light under ultrasound guidance. Magnetic resonance images showed moderate-significant reduction of the disease volume. Fourteen months post-PDT, the disease started re-growing and the patient subsequently underwent one further round of PDT which was as successful as the first round in reducing the facial disfigurement. Photodynamic therapy was very effective in controlling disease progression in this patient who suffers from Kimura disease.

Ultrasound guided interstitial photodynamic therapy of deep seated lesions

Ultrasound is very easy to perform, non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, quick and convenient, suited to imaging soft tissues and does not cause any discomfort. Conclusion Ultrasound can be used to guide real-time photodynamic therapy of deep seated tumours and other malformations and can augment the information from other imaging modalities without affecting the patients treatment outcome. from 1st Scientific Meeting of the Head and Neck Optical Diagnostics Society London, UK. 14 March 2009

Subglottic carcinoma effectively treated with surgery and adjuvant photodynamic therapy

Case report A 54-year-old Caucasian male presented to his general medical practitioner in May 2007 with a 2–3 month history of haemoptysis. Radiological examination revealed a radiopacity neck to the right heart border. Panendoscopy showed a pedunculated lesion projecting into the trachea from the cricoid. Excisional biopsy was performed and histopathology showed fragments of a non-cystic epithelial tumour. Further tests showed characteristics of adenocarcinoma.