Cancer is one of the first places in mortality among the population. In recent years, the number of cancers diagnosed in patients has increased dramatically. Unfortunately, they do not have any age restrictions - this disease as it affects the adult population, so it does not spare children.
Nowadays, more and more new methods of cancer treatment are used, medicine in this matter has advanced far ahead. One of such methods is photodynamic therapy in oncology. We will get to know this method in more detail in our article.
The concept of photodynamic therapy
This treatment method has the abbreviated name 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 blood or applied to the skin. After a short period of time, it is absorbed by the tissues, and then a ray of light is sent to this area.
Let’s figure out what his biophysics is. After on exposure to a ray of light, photodynamic therapy in oncology is reduced to chemical interaction with the participation of oxygen, as a result of which cancer cells die. With such therapy, it is necessary to remove small blood vessels to deprive the tumor of recharge.
Stages of PD therapy
Photodynamic therapy in oncology includes several stages:
- The introduction of a sensitizing solution intravenously.
- The accumulation of the drug in tissues affected by a cancerous tumor. Given the variety of tissues and drugs, this stage sometimes lasts up to several days. It was at this time that specialists diagnose the tumor, based on the degree of concentration of the sensitizer.
- Stage of irradiation of the tumor with laser beams. If the cancer is too deep, LED tubes are used to deliver the rays . Under the influence of a laser, a toxic reaction begins, as a result of which cancer cells die, while neighboring healthy tissues are not affected.
- The stage of the decay of a cancerous tumor and the restoration of tissue that has undergone mutation. Duration is about a month.
How is photodynamic therapy used in oncology?
This type of therapy serves to significantly improve the quality of life of sick patients. PDT does not have long-term negative manifestations, but it is not widely used in all countries.
Photodynamic therapy in oncology in Moscow has been used since 1998. At present, there are 5 rooms in the capital where this procedure is performed. About 2 thousand patients have already received treatment with this method.
At the Oncology Clinical Dispensary No. 1, contact PDT was developed and used. Laser irradiation, which is carried out in this way, allows you to increase the depth of penetration of rays to 2 cm
The advantages of this treatment method
PDT is an innovative method of combating cancers and precancerous lesions. Currently, they are trying to apply it at the initial stages of oncology, since photodynamic therapy in oncology has huge advantages:
- It is only possible to affect cancer cells.
- Patients easily tolerate the procedure at any age.
- Therapy has a sparing effect on organs and tissues affected by a cancerous tumor.
- For skin cancer, the procedure gives a 100% effective result.
- With oncology of the cervix, this method is the most effective, since it allows you to save the reproductive system of women.
- Treatment can be done on an outpatient basis.
- If necessary, you can reapply.
- It has no systemic complications.
- Using this method, tumors can be removed 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, as well as virucidal (capable of destroying the human papillomavirus), fungicidal, bactericidal and immunomodulating. The presence of such a large number of advantages makes it popular.
Disadvantages of the method
In addition to the mass of advantages, the method has its drawbacks:
- Therapy is limited to light. That is, the part that is located directly under the skin lends itself to treatment. Because of this, you can not use the method to get rid of cancer cells that are spread over almost all organs and tissues.
- After photosensitizers, sensitivity to light remains for some time.
But from the above, it is still clear that photodynamic therapy in oncology has very minor flaws.
Indications for the 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 the treatment of precancerous conditions. It is effective for eye diseases and dermatological problems.
In addition, using the described method, non-healing wounds and trophic ulcers are treated.
Who is not shown PDT
Photodynamic therapy in oncology has contraindications, but minor ones. It is not carried out:
- if there are pathologies of the kidneys and liver;
- in the stage of decompensation of a disease of the cardiovascular system;
- with excessive sensitivity to the drug;
- with blood diseases.
The method is contraindicated during the bearing of the child, as well as during breastfeeding.
Photodynamic therapy in oncology should be used only after consulting a doctor so that all available contraindications can be identified.
Used drugs in therapy
To carry out this method of treatment, oncologists use drugs that can be divided into two groups:
- Sensitizers of the first generation, with porphyrins.
- Photosensitizers of the second generation.
Regardless of the group, special requirements are imposed on the drug:
- has the ability to concentrate in large quantities in cancerous tumors and does not penetrate into healthy tissues;
- after the procedure, it is rapidly excreted from the body and has low toxicity;
- does not accumulate in the skin;
- possesses resistance to storage and introduction into the bloodstream;
- possesses luminescent qualities.
PDT drug review
The method of photodynamic therapy in oncology is often used with the use of Photofrin. It is activated using red. And they use it in the treatment of the following conditions:
- Cancers of the larynx. After the procedure, the patient feels better, the use of the drug is especially indicated when the tumor reaches sizes that practically block the larynx, and laser therapy can not cope with it.
- Esophagus Berrett. The drug is used as a preventive procedure to prevent the development of oncology.
- Lungs' cancer.
Aminolivulinic acid is used in case of the appearance of senile keratosis. It is applied directly to the skin and is activated in blue. It can be applied only to the face and head.
There are other drugs, but they are used much less often.
The process of treatment using Photofrin
The named drug is administered intravenously. Penetrating inside, it begins to be absorbed not only by cancer cells, but also healthy throughout the body. Perfectly healthy cells will be completely cleansed of the substance within a few days, and in cancer cells it will be preserved.
But if nothing is done further, then nothing will happen to the tumor. The reaction begins only when there is exposure to light, with a certain wavelength, on the cells.
If you need to carry out a procedure to cure lung cancer, then use a bronchoscope to penetrate the affected tissue as much as possible. Doctors use a laser with a small power to perform PDT, so no tissue burns can occur.
The duration of the procedure depends on the size of the tumor and its location (usually it is from 5 to 45 minutes). Dead cells and tissues disappear in a few days. After checking, if necessary, repeat the procedure.
It must be borne in mind that therapy using Photofrin is not allowed to everyone, it is contraindicated if there is:
- fistula between the esophagus and bronchi;
- a cancerous tumor that spreads through large blood vessels;
- peptic ulcer or enlarged veins;
- allergy to the drug.
All questions must be discussed with the doctor before the procedure.
Side Effects of PDT
The most common side effect of the procedure using Photofrin is increased photosensitivity. Sometimes there is still a swelling at the treatment site and a slight soreness.
After the drug enters the body, it accumulates in the cells and tissues and may remain in the cells after a few days, and sometimes weeks, after the procedure. All this time, the patient’s eyes and skin are sensitive enough to light. From bright light, unprotected areas begin to swell and become covered with blisters in just a few minutes.
Such sensitivity can persist for several months, it all depends on the characteristics of the body. All this time you will have to avoid direct sunlight, but this does not mean that you need to sit in a dark room. Dosed daylight helps the destruction of substances in the cells and helps to restore them.
Sensitivity will gradually decrease, and it will be possible to verify this, but not earlier than a month after PDT.
Other effects may include swelling at the site 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 such symptoms are found, you should immediately consult a doctor. Other side effects include the following:
- nausea, vomiting, headache, hiccups - if PDT was carried out on the esophagus;
- shortness of breath, the development of bronchitis or pneumonia - may be after treatment of the lungs.
All such manifestations must be reported to the doctor.
Recommendations after therapy
Significant side effects after therapy can be avoided if you know how to prepare for it and behave correctly after the procedure. To do this, observe the following recommendations:
- Going to the hospital for photodynamic therapy, it is necessary to close all windows and curtains at home, and also make sure that the lamps are protected with lampshades or in another way.
- Be sure to bring sunglasses and a hat (preferably a hat with wide brim) to the hospital to protect your face. Clothing should have a long sleeve, and on the legs - trousers and socks (in this situation, the hope for sunscreen is low).
- After the procedure, it is advisable not to be outside during the noon hours for 30 days, and when leaving, it is imperative to protect the skin even in cloudy weather.
- All urgent and urgent matters should preferably be rescheduled for the evening.
- At home, when reading, you need to protect your eyes from direct light from the lamp.
- After washing your hair, do not use a hair dryer for drying - hot air can activate the substance remaining in the cells and cause redness and burns.
If all these recommendations are observed, then photodynamic therapy in oncology will show maximum efficiency, and the patient will be satisfied with the result.
Reviews about the procedure
Any method of therapy cannot equally well be used to treat all patients. But photodynamic therapy in oncology reviews is mostly good. Patients note that after the procedure, their condition improved markedly, this especially applies to cancerous tumors on the skin, and other skin diseases. After PDT, almost no scars remain, the skin becomes cleaner.
Patients note painless therapy, a small number of side effects. But it should be noted that almost all patients talk about increased photosensitivity after the procedure. It is necessary to avoid bright light and to reliably protect the eyes and skin from its ingress.
Photodynamic therapy in oncology has negative reviews only for those who did not follow the doctor’s recommendations and did not report any concomitant diseases. It should be noted that with cancer of the larynx or lungs, therapy is difficult, and after it there may be problems with swallowing and breathing, but all these are temporary phenomena that will gradually pass.
After treatment, almost all patients are satisfied with the result, especially if the procedure was carried out by a highly qualified specialist. So, photodynamic therapy in oncology in Novosibirsk is being studied by the remarkable professor Sergey Danilovich Nikonov. He developed PDT for the brain, as well as a method for the treatment of carcinomatous pleurisy, on this subject he has published many publications and scientific papers.
Other cities also have clinics that specialize in treating cancer in the manner described. Photodynamic therapy in oncology in Krasnodar is available at Clinical Oncology Center No. 1. This medical institution is equipped with the latest technology, so patients can not doubt the success of treatment.
Fortunately, at present, even such a terrible disease as cancer is not a sentence. The most important thing is to identify it at a stage when it is still possible to successfully cope with it. And for this, all that is required is to be more attentive to your health and regularly undergo medical examinations. Take care of yourself and be healthy!