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ASTRO: Photodynamic Therapy Useful in Breast Cancer Patients That Have Reached Radiation Dose Limits By Emma Hitt Special to DG News NEW ORLEANS, LA -- October 10, 2002 -- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears to be safe and effective in breast cancer patients with chest wall progression who have received maximum cumulative radiation doses, while sparing painful fibrotic tissue changes. Dr. Ron Allison, chairman of the department of radiation oncology, with the Brody School of Medicine, in Greenville, North Carolina, United States, presented his findings October 9 at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) 44th Annual Meeting. "Approximately 5 percent of breast cancer patients will experience a chest wall recurrence of cancer," said Dr. Allison. "PDT may be useful in such cases, but limited data exist about the efficacy of PDT in patients who have undergone maximal doses of radiation therapy." A total of 14 women underwent PDT. All had chest wall progression, despite two or three courses of definitive external beam radiation therapy at cumulative doses of 9000-15000 cGy to the chest wall. PDT was administered intravenously on an outpatient basis. Infusion with 0.8 mg/kg photofrin (Axcan-Scandipharm) was followed 48 hours later by outpatient fiber-optic illumination of 625 cumulative lesions with a laser. "All patients underwent infusion and PDT without morbidity or sunlight sensitivity," the researchers noted. Temporary pain occurred after PDT in seven patients, but use of oral [acetaminophen] and codeine was able to control this. All lesions healed without requiring surgical intervention. One year after treatment, more than 90 percent of all lesions achieved "complete clinical and cosmetic resolution." Of the 14 patients 2 developed new chest wall lesions. "PDT should be considered as a viable salvage modality for these unfortunate individuals," they concluded. E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version