USA: LASER TREATMENT FOR LUNG CANCER VICTIMS

Описание: (16 Jan 1999) English/Nat
A new laser therapy is offering fresh hope for lung cancer patients.

Photo dynamic therapy (PDT) is a new, two-step cancer treatment procedure that combines laser technology, fiber optics and a special light-activated drug called Photofrin.

With PDT, cancer cells can be selectively destroyed while normal cells are spared.

The Federal Drug Administration recently granted approval for the procedure, making PDT available for some lung cancer patients.

Lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer.

But now, patients suffering from advanced lung cancer have an alternative to risky surgery.

The Federal Drug Administration has just approved a tumour blasting procedure that combines special light-activated drugs with laser technology.

Medical physicists and doctors are calling this one of the most promising new weapons in the war against cancer.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The drug is not active initially after injection. It is activated by light, a 630 wavelength light which is actually present in sunlight."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Jim Luketich, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

The procedure works because a special photo reactive drug accumulates in the cancer cells.

Then, when a red laser light shines on the area, the drug switches on creating a toxic form of oxygen that destroys the tumour.

In a matter of a few days the tumour shrivels up and dies.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If you look at the tumour cells for instance in the lungs or the esophagus two days later, what you see is the tumor has all turned white and is just crumbling away."
SUPER CAPTION: Paul Rehkopf, Physicist, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Photo dynamic therapy became possible when breakthroughs in physics led to new lasers capable of penetrating deep into the tissue.

This allowed physicians to use PDT to treat internal tissues such as the esophagus or lungs without complicated surgeries.

The only side effect is a sensitivity to sunlight for a few months and patients like Bill Wagner will certainly trade that for another chance at cancer free life.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I was in the house most of the time for about ten weeks, but believe me it is a small price to pay to get a clean bill of health."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Wagner, Patient

The technique is used primarily to treat tumours under the skin or on the lining of internal organs, but physicists are now looking at different lasers and photosensitizers that could treat cancers located deeper within the body.

The FDA approved the cancer laser blasting surgery on December 23, 1998 and physicians and patients around the world are optimistic about the results thus far.

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