Dosimetry and light distribution systems for photodynamic therapy at the Norwegian Radium Hospital

Photodynamic therapy has been used for treatment of malignant cutaneous lesions. Photosensitizer has been topically applied, 5-aminolevulinic acid, with light delivered at 630 nm. A study of response rate to varying light doses was performed, it might seem that light doses of 40 - 50 J/cm2 is sufficient for superficial lesions. For nodular lesions higher light doses are needed. Some patients with tumors in the gastrointestinal tract have been treated with systemic administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid and re-treated with Photofrin in case of unsatisfactory results. From the preliminary material available 5-aminolevulinic acid seems less promising as a photosensitizer for internal lesions compared to dermal lesions.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.