Photodynamic Therapy for Superficial Bladder Cancer

Abstract

Spot and total bladder wall photodynamic therapies (PDT) using argon-dye laser (630 nm) were carried out in 17 patients with Ta-TI lesions and in 22 patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) or/and multicentric superficial tumors, respectively. The intervals between hematoporphyrin derivative 3 mg/kg i. v. injection and PDT were 48 to 96 hours. Total light energy density was 100 to 200 J/cm2 in spot PDT through a 400 μm quartz fiber and cystoscope, and 10 to 30 J/cm2 in total PDT carried out by a laser light scattering device. There was no recurrence in 4 of the 17 patients with a mean tumor free time of 20.8 months in spot PDT, and in 5 of 22 with a mean tumor free time of 8.2 months in total PDT. The most appropriate patients for PDT will be those with CIS, those withe diffuse Ta-TI lesions, and those with tumor in a bladder diverticulum.