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Advances in Therapy
Published in: Advances in Therapy 3/2018

01-03-2018 | Review

A Review of Photodynamic Therapy for Neoplasms of the Head and Neck

Authors: Francisco J. Civantos, Barış Karakullukcu, Merrill Biel, Carl E. Silver, Alessandra Rinaldo, Nabil F. Saba, Robert P. Takes, Vincent Vander Poorten, Alfio Ferlito

Published in: Advances in Therapy | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the use of a phototoxic drug which is activated by low powered laser light to destroy neoplastic cells. Multiple photosensitizers have been studied and tumors have been treated in a variety of head and neck sites over the last 30 years. PDT can effectively treat head and neck tumors, particularly those of the superficial spreading type, and the classic application of this technology has been in the patient with a wide field of dysplastic change and superficial carcinomatosis. Interstitial treatment has been used to treat more invasive cancer. Data is available from case series and institutional experiences, but very little randomized data is available. We review the mechanisms of action, historical development, available data, and current knowledge regarding PDT for the various head and neck subsites, and discuss possible future directions, with an emphasis on clinical application.
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Metadata
Title
A Review of Photodynamic Therapy for Neoplasms of the Head and Neck
Authors
Francisco J. Civantos
Barış Karakullukcu
Merrill Biel
Carl E. Silver
Alessandra Rinaldo
Nabil F. Saba
Robert P. Takes
Vincent Vander Poorten
Alfio Ferlito
Publication date
01-03-2018
Publisher
Springer Healthcare
Published in
Advances in Therapy / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0741-238X
Electronic ISSN: 1865-8652
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-018-0659-3

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