Clinical results of stereotactic intratumoral photodynamic therapy for malignant brain tumors

30 malignant brain tumors of 25 cases, that were seated deeply in the brain or in an eloquent area, were treated with stererotactic intratumoral PDT using HPE and argon-dye laser. 3mg/kg HPE was administered iv 2 days after, a stereotactic apparatus was installed and target points were determined by enhanced CT or MRI. Optical fiber was inserted into predetermined target points of tumor by stereotactic methods, and photo illumination with power output 200 mW was applied for 15 minutes. The photo illumination was repeated several times depending on tumor volume. All tumors clearly showed a reduction in tumor volume 4 weeks after stererotactic PDT. A complete response was obtained in 19 tumors, PR was in 8 tumors, NC was in 3 tumors. In the case of 22.9 ml or lower volume, therapeutic effects were obtained for all of them. The largest tumor which showed complete disappearance on enhanced CT or MRI had a volume of 4.6 ml. This study indicates that it is possible to consider stereotactic intratumoral PDT showing adequate therapeutic effects as an adjuvant therapy for malignant brain tumors.