How to Explore Photodynamic Therapy to Treat Cancer

With the wide range of treatments available to those suffering from lung or esophageal cancer, it can be hard to determine which one is the most effective. One of the newest ways to treat these types of cancer is with a combination of photosensitive drugs and laser light therapy. Known as photodynamic therapy, this treatment has shown great promise in early clinical trials due to its ability to create cancer-killing chemical reactions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. See if your doctor has any brochures on photodynamic therapy. Your doctor should have a treatment packet that goes into detail about how the treatment is administered, as well as any potential side effects you may experience.

2. Read up on the latest photodynamic therapy literature. Both the American Association for Cancer Research and the National Cancer Institute have rich resources dedicated to cancer treatments, including photodynamic therapy (see Resources below).

3. Join a cancer support group to get an insider's look at the pros and cons of photodynamic therapy. Some of the members of your support group may have actually undergone photodynamic therapy and can help you understand the process a little better. Members who opted not to do photodynamic therapy can also give you valuable insight and may be able to alert you to other potential treatment options.

4. Ask your doctor whether you would be a suitable candidate for the procedure. While the ideal photodynamic therapy patient has been diagnosed with lung or esophageal cancer, certain factors, including extrinsic compression, age and cancer stage, can all affect your status.

5. Talk to another doctor or specialist to get a second opinion about the proposed treatment. Since the effects of photodynamic therapy can last more than 1 month, you'll want to be completely confident in your decision.

Tips & Warnings

• You have the right, as a patient, to play an integral part in your cancer treatment plan. Although you may want to explore photodynamic therapy as an option to treat your cancer, you are under no obligation to go through with the treatment, even if your doctor believes it is in your best interests.
• You may become angry, easily frustrated or depressed when looking into various cancer treatments. Although normal, your feelings should be reported to your doctor, who can help you sort through them with medications or a referral to a competent psychologist.
• It is important to understand that patients who choose photodynamic therapy to treat cancer must stay indoors for 4 to 6 weeks. The slightest exposure to the sun can cause severe blistering and long-term discoloration of the skin.

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