INTERSTITIAL PHOTORADIATION THERAPY FOR PRIMARY SOLID TUMORS IN PET CATS AND DOGS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (2) , 401-404
Abstract
Photoradiation therapy, a new method for treatment of solid malignant tumors, depends upon the tumor localization and retention of hematoporphyrin derivative, which is activated in vivo by light in the red region of the spectrum. As currently applied to cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions, the light dose is limited by normal tissue reactions and the effective penetration of the light through the tissues. Primary solid malignant lesions in pet cats and dogs were treated by interstitial photoradiation therapy by applying the activating light from a laser [635 .+-. 5 (SD) nm] directly into the tumor masses through a 200-.mu.m quartz fiber optic. Twelve of 14 lesions (4 osteosarcomas, 2 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 malignant melanomas, 1 mast cell sarcoma, 1 fibrosarcoma, 1 sebaceous gland sarcoma, 1 metastatic prostatic carcinoma) responded to treatment; 3 are currently considered permanently controlled at 1 yr or more following treatment. This method allowed photoradiation therapy to be applied to some remote lesions and nearly eliminated normal tissue effects, thus greatly extending the applicability of this treatment to a wide range of human tumors.