Experience of using photodynamic therapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a worthy alternative to surgical esophageal resection or endoscopic mucosal resection and dissection (EMR, ESD) in patients with superficial esophageal cancer with severe concomitant diseases as well as in patients with a common form of esophageal cancer with severe malignant dysphagia. Patients with superficial (7) and advanced (15) esophageal cancer received PDT as an independent method and as a supplement to complex treatment. Radachlorin was used as a photosensitizer at a dose of 0.6–0.8 mg/kg, administered intravenously 3 hours before irradiation. A PDT session was carried out using a laser with a wavelength of 662 nm. The light dose used was 150–300 J/cm2 . The use of PDT made it possible to achieve the full effect in 7 (100%) patients in the group of superficial (T1a-T1b) esophageal cancer where PDT was either the only method of treatment or in combination with radiation therapy. In the group of patients with stenotic cancer the use of PDT made it possible to achieve full recovery of food intake after recanalization for 20% of patients, and partial – for 66.7%. Thus, complete natural food intake was restored for 86.7% of patients which improved their quality of life. PDT is also a method of choice for cancer of the upper esophagus as esophageal stenting in this situation can cause unwanted subjective sensations.