Photodynamic therapy in oncological digestive tract surgery
Evrard, S.; Aprahamian, M.; Miehe, J.; Damge, C.; Sultan, R.; Marescaux, J.
Presse Medicale 20(38): 1892-1898
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0755-4982 PMID: 1836625 Document Number: 373186
Photodynamic therapy is a useful new antitumoral treatment, since it is relatively selective and noniatrogenic. The photosensitizers become preferentially localized in the tumoral tissue, where their excitation by light causes the production of free cytotoxic radicals. If haematoporphyrin derivatives are the most widely used photosensitizers, numerous molecules are being tested. Now used as a palliative photodynamic therapy could logically be used as adjuvant treatment in curative surgical excision. The practical utility of peroperative photodynamic therapy in gastroenterological surgery is being evaluated experimentally and clinically.