QUESTIONS REGARDING PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
What is Photodynamic Therapy?
It is a relatively new treatment for cancer which involves an intravenous injection of a medication called Photofrin (a photosensitizing agent), followed 48 hours later by endoscopic laser light treatment, that may then be repeated 48 hours later. The laser light treatment is done during ERCP (or at EGD if you have esophageal cancer) at which time the tumor is exposed to the laser light, and the cancer cells are destroyed.
Is PDT painful?
The injection of the medication Photofrin does not cause pain (other than that associated with having an intravenous line being started). The laser treatment itself is not painful, since you are sedated and asleep during the procedure. There may be some discomfort in the days following the laser treatment. If you undergo PDT of the esophagus, you may have mild throat discomfort following the procedure.
What happens to the cancer cells once they are destroyed?
The body will naturally remove these dead cancer cells as waste. Following PDT to the esophagus a repeat EGD is often required a few days later to remove any dead cancer tissue remaining in the esophagus. A repeat ERCP is often required a few days later to remove dead cancer tissue in the bile ducts following PDT for bile duct cancer.
Does the photodynamic laser injure the normal tissue in the esophagus and the bile ducts?
No. There is no injury to the underlying tissue of the esophagus and the bile ducts. The laser is very low-powered (only one watt of power), which is not injurious to normal tissue. It only destroys cancer cells (that are rendered photosensitive following injection of the Photofrin) once they are exposed to the laser light source.
What kind of light precations do I need to follow?
From the moment after receiving the Photofin injection you will be considered light sensitive, and must avoid direct bright sunlight, and even sunlight while indoors, i.e.. bright sunlight coming through windows or skylights. You will also need to avoid bright indoor light, i.e.. bright lamps and overhead lights (not fluorescent lights). You may go outside in daylight, but must take precautions to avoid sunburn, i.e.. long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks, gloves, wrap-around sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
How will I know when I am, no longer light-sensitive?
Four weeks after injection you should test for light sensitivity by exposing a very small patch of skin (i.e.. the skin on the back of your hand) to the sunlight for ten minutes. You should wait for 24 hours before determining if a reaction (swelling, redness, blistering) has occurred.
Contact Information
For further information please call 310.556.7747 or e-mail CDDI@olympiamc.com.
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