The role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

The choice of the fiberoptic diffuser tip depends on the indication, tumour location, and size of the tumour. [...] One additional study was excluded as no information was provided on the stage of the patients and the data for primary and recurrent cancer patients were not reported separately (25). [...] Outcomes Early Stage Lung Cancer Tables 1a and 1b summarize the 11 non-controlled prospective studies and the one summary paper of PDT in the treatment of early stage lung cancer. [...] In those studies where response was assessed after a number of PDT treatments were administered, the reasons for the variation in the response rates are unclear but could include variation in the method of administering PDT, differences in the extent of disease, and differences in the timing or method of assessment of response. [...] In two of those cases, the tumours were large, obstructing a major airway, and the authors suggested that the events were likely related to tumour necrosis and bleeding as a result of PDT.