Photodynamic therapy is based upon the tendency of cancer cells to absorb photosensitizing drugs more quickly and for longer periods than healthy cells. By exposing these “sensitized” cancer cells to intense light, doctors can destroy external, abdominal tumors while leaving nearby healthy tissue largely unaffected.
In a typical photodynamic therapy session, the mesothelioma patient receives the photosensitizing drug intravenously. This is carried throughout the body over a period of one to three days.
During this time the drug leaches out of healthy cells but is retained in malignant cells. These are then exposed to light of a specific wavelength, triggering a chemical reaction within the tumor that generates a highly reactive form of oxygen. This free oxygen then kills nearby cancer cells. This reaction also damages the blood vessels that supply the tumor, starving and suffocating the cancer cells within.
Photodynamic therapy is typically an out-patient procedure. Due to the nature of the treatment, it is only effective on external tumors, and can cause damage to the patient’s eyes and skin if these are not protected.
While not a cure, a relationship between photodynamic therapy and mesothelioma patient relief from suffering caused by external tumors of the abdomen does exist.
