Clinical photodynamic therapy of head and neck cancers-A review of applications and outcomes.

As local control is tantamount to cure in head and neck cancer, an aggressive regimen of surgery and radiation remains the standard of care for most patients. Despite significant technical advances, these treatments are highly morbid. Further, patients who fail treatment have limited salvage options. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodiagnosis (PD) of head and neck cancer offer significant potential for improved outcomes in a myriad of clinical indications ranging from in situ to recurrent disease. However, despite promising results, these modalities remain at the fringe of head and neck treatment options. Photofrin(®), Photosan and Foscan(®) are photosensitizers used clinically in head and neck PD/PDT. In addition, aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which gives origin to Protoporphyrin IX, an endogeneous photosensitizer, is also used for PD/PDT. We review the clinical literature on these photosensitizers to assist in the integration of these important modalities into the mainstream of head and neck oncological therapy.