Photodynamic therapy of recurrent cancer of oral cavity: an alternative to conventional treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with use of two Russian photosensitizers -- Photohem (hematoporphyrine derivative) in the dosage 1.5 - 5.0 mg/kg of body weight and Photosense (sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine) in the dosage 0.5 - 1.5 mg/kg of body weight has been provided in 26 patients with spread recurrent tumors of oral cavity (tongue, oral mucose, uvula, lower lip). During PDT power density has been from 50 to 1000 mW/cm2, light irradiation doses ranging from 50 to 600 J/cm2. Therapeutic effect in term from 2 months to 3 years took place in 24 patients (92.4%). In 16 cases (61.5%) complete resorption of tumor was achieved, in 8 cases (30.9%) -- partial pesorption. No effect was found in 2 cases (7.6%). Our experience supposes that PD appears to be a reasonable alternative to the traditional therapy of recurrent tumors of oral cavity.