Temoporfin PDT: effective head and neck cancer therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with temoporfin ['Foscan'] is effective in the treatment of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and achieves cosmetic and functional results that are at least as good as surgery, according to study data presented at ECCO 11 - the European Cancer Conference [Lisbon, Portugal; October 2001].1 In addition, repeated treatment is not associated with cumulative toxicity. Consultant surgeon Mr Colin Hopper from the National Medical Laser Centre, London, UK, who presented the results on behalf of the Foscan PDT 01 Study Group, expressed great enthusiasm about this treatment modality, commenting 'we feel that Foscan PDT is effective as a first-line standard treatment'.