BACKGROUND:Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative technique in oncologic urology.
Its application appears increasingly realistic to all kind of cancers with technological progress made in treatment planning and light delivery associated with the emergence of novel photosensitizers. The aim of this study is to review applications of this technique in urology.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:We reviewed the literature on PDT for urological malignancies with the following key words: photodynamic therapy, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, urothelial cancer, penile cancer and then by cross-referencing from previously identified studies.
RESULTS:Focal therapy of prostate cancer is an application of PDT. Clinical studies are ongoing to determine PDT efficacy and safety. PDT as salvage treatment after radiotherapy has been tested. Oncologic results were promising but important side effects were reported. Individual dosimetric planning is necessary to avoid toxicity. PDT was tested to treat superficial bladder carcinoma with promising oncologic results. Serious side effects have limited use of first photosensitizers generation. Second generation of photosensitizer allowed reducing morbidity. For upper urinary tract carcinoma and urethra, data are limited. Few studies described PDT application in penile oncology for conservative management of carcinoma in situ and premalignant lesions. For renal cancer, PDT was only tested on preclinical model despite of its potential application. No data is available concerning PDT application for testicular cancer.
CONCLUSION: PDT clinical applications in urology have proved a kind of efficiency balanced with an important morbidity. Development of new photosensitizer generations and improvement in illumination protocols should permit to decrease side effects.
Written by:
Bozzini G, Colin P, Betrouni N, Nevoux P, Ouzzane A, Puech P, Villers A, Mordon S. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire de Lille, avenue oscar lambret, Lille, France; Inserm U703, 152 rue du Docteur Yersin, 59120 Loos, France; Universite Lille Nord de France, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.
Reference: Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2012 Sep;9(3):261-73.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22959806
UroToday.com Prostate Cancer Section
