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Open Access Review

Photodynamic therapy in the therapy for recurrent/persistent nasopharyngeal cancer

Maarten AM Wildeman*, Heike J Nyst, Baris Karakullukcu and Bing I Tan*

Author Affiliations

Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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Head & Neck Oncology 2009, 1:40 doi:10.1186/1758-3284-1-40

Published: 17 December 2009

Abstract

To determine the efficacy of Photodynamic therapy of patients with recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma we reviewed all available literature.

Since the treatment options for recurrent or persistent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma are limited, the survival rates poor and the complications severe; there is definitely a place for alternative treatment modalities with more efficacy and less morbidity. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has the potential to be a very effective local treatment modality for recurrent or persistent nasopharyngeal cancer, without the severe side effects seen with re-irradiation. This review shows all reported results of Photodynamic therapy in the treatment for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.