Photo-chemistry therapy of gastrointestinal tumor--analysis of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) plus laser photodynamic therapy of 50 cases

This paper reports 50 cases of gastrointestinal tumors treated by photodynamic therapy. The dose of HpD was 5 mg/kg. Fourty-eight to 72 hours after HpD injection, laser (wavelength 630 nm, power density 100-250 J/cm2), transmitted through a quartz fiber, was given. The criteria of therapeutic effectiveness were: complete remission (CR), significant remission (SR), minor remission (MR) and no remission (NR). All patients received endoscopic examination 4 weeks after treatment. No severe complication was observed. Thirty-eight of 50 cases gave CR, SR or MR (76%). The factors effecting treatment are discussed.