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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Ancillary therapies in the management of lung cancer: photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, and endobronchial prosthetic devices.

Endoscopic therapy for cancer that involves the tracheobronchial tree is currently available for two distinct types of lesions: radiographically occult superficial squamous cell carcinoma and advanced malignant tumors that cause severe airway obstruction. Photodynamic therapy, which uses a photosensitizing agent, is effective for managing early superficial squamous cell carcinoma. Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser therapy has been effective in the palliative management of patients with advanced or recurrent malignant obstructive airway lesions, either alone or in combination with intraluminal radiation therapy. Most recently, endobronchial prosthetic devices (stents) have been used in patients with advanced airway obstruction. The use of each of these modalities in the management of lung cancer is reviewed.

Airway Obstruction↗

[Photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, brachytherapy, stents. Local control of lung cancer].

As only a small proportion of patients presenting with lung cancer can be cured, palliation has a very important place in their treatment. The local effects of lung cancer often entail substantial deterioration of the patient's quality of life. Recent advances in such techniques as laser treatment, brachytherapy, photodynamic therapy and prosthetic stents have enabled important improvements to be made in the control of lung cancer (both primary tumours and metastases). Laser treatment is mainly used to obtain bronchial patency rapidly, but needs to be followed up with other treatments. Photodynamic therapy is confined to the treatment of very small early cancers, but may be curative in such cases. Brachytherapy, the brief introduction of a source of radiation in the bronchi, may be effective both in endobronchial tumours, and in cases where there is compression due to a tumour outside the bronchi. The method can be used repeatedly, even in patients undergoing external beam radiation therapy. Finally, prosthetic stents are increasingly used to maintain bronchial patency, both in malignant and in certain non-malignant diseases. The achievement of optimal results often entails the use of a combination of the various methods, thus necessitating close cooperation between lung specialists, oncologists, radiologists, ENT surgeons and GPs.

Brachytherapy↗

Evaluation of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity in wound healing by low-level laser therapy.

Laser therapy is used in many biomedical sciences to promote tissue regeneration. Many studies involving low-level laser therapy have shown that the healing process is enhanced by such therapy. In this work, we evaluated mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes II and IV and succinate dehydrogenase activities in wounds after irradiation with low-level laser. The animals were divided into two groups: group 1, the animals had no local nor systemic treatment and were considered as control wounds; group 2, the wounds were treated immediately after they were made and every day after with a low-level laser (AsGa, wavelength of 904 nm) for 10 days. The results showed that low-level laser therapy improved wound healing. Besides, our results showed that low-level laser therapy significantly increased the activities of complexes II and IV but did not affect succinate dehydrogenase activity. These findings are in accordance to other works, where cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) seems to be activated by low-level laser therapy. Besides, we showed, for the first time, that complex II activity was also activated. More studies are being carried out in order to evaluate other mitochondrial enzymes activities after different doses and irradiation time of low-level laser.

Animals↗

Cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation as a complication occurRing during rigid bronchoscopic laser therapy.

Laser bronchoscopy is a usually well tolerated procedure for the treatment of obstructive lesions on the tracheobronchial tree, with a very low morbidity and mortality rate. Cardiovascular complications, including atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemia, have only rarely been reported during laser bronchoscopy. Cardiac arrhythmias during such a procedure are usually well tolerated but occasionally may be life threatening. Here we report a case of a young, female patient affected by Pulmonary Tuberculosis with a cicatricial stenosis of the left main bronchus who developed an episode of prolonged cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (and no signs of acute myocardial ischemia) during rigid broncoscopic laser-therapy. Underlying Coronary Artery Disease and other cardiac abnormalities were also excluded by subsequent cardiovascular examination. The clinical implications are also discussed.

Adult↗

Prospective randomised trial of laser therapy only and laser therapy followed by endoscopic intubation for the palliation of malignant dysphagia.

Forty six consecutive patients admitted for the relief of malignant dysphagia were prospectively randomised to receive laser therapy only or initial laser therapy followed by endoscopic intubation. Twenty patients were treated in each group with six exclusions. The patients' swallowing ability was assessed before and during the remainder of their life on a 0-4 scale with 0 being normal swallowing and 4 total dysphagia. The patient's quality of life was measured at the same times, using a physician's assessment (QL index) and the patient's own assessment using a linear analogue self assessment (LASA). There was a significant correlation between all the QL index and the LASA scores collected (n = 126; rs = 0.594, p less than 0.001). The mean monthly dysphagia grade correlated with the QL index (rs = 0.433, p less than 0.001) and the LASA (rs = 0.272, p less than 0.002). There was no significant difference in the dysphagia grade before or after treatment in either group. Dysphagia fluctuated more in those treated with the laser only, however, than in those with a tube inserted. There was also no significant difference in the quality of life measured between the two groups of patients. The complication rate (laser only 10%, laser/intubation 40%, p less than 0.05) was significantly higher in intubated patients. The recurrent dysphagia rate (laser only 25%, laser/intubation 45%, NS) was higher in patients treated with intubation, but they required fewer endoscopic procedures. Overall both procedures were effective in relieving dysphagia and in maintaining quality of life. There was no procedure related mortality in either group.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Side effects and complications of laser therapy.

Laser skin surgery is not without risk and some degree of downtime in most situations. Patient satisfaction is key to the perceived success of the procedure. Therefore, the physician must fully explain all risks, potential complications, and expected morbidity associated with any laser treatment to be performed. Although many side effects can be avoided by use of appropriate intraoperative technique and adequate postoperative management, untoward effects may still occur and must be promptly identified and addressed. An informed patient is an important factor in the healing process and contributes to the success of the procedure.

Cicatrix↗

PET for evaluation of differential myocardial perfusion dynamics after VEGF gene therapy and laser therapy in end-stage coronary artery disease.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to appraise the value of PET in the assessment of the effect of supposedly proangiogenic new therapies such as gene therapy with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and endomyocardial laser therapy. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with end-stage coronary artery disease and class III (Canadian Cardiovascular Society) angina were included. Myocardial ischemia was evaluated with dipyridamole PET scanning and exercise tolerance with bicycle ergometry. Ten patients were treated with naked plasmid DNA encoding for human VEGF165 (VEGF) and 12 patients were treated with laser therapy (direct myocardial revascularization [DMR]) using an electromechanical mapping system. Thirteen patients were treated with standard medical therapy (control). RESULTS: In both active treatment groups, angina was reduced in most subjects, except in 2 VEGF and 5 DMR patients. In the control group, no improvement in anginal classification was found, except in 3 subjects. On the PET scan, solely in the VEGF group, the stress perfusion was significantly improved (from 57 +/- 33 to 81 +/- 55 mL/min/100 g; P = 0.031). Furthermore, in the VEGF group, the number of ischemic segments was reduced from 274 +/- 41 to 234 +/- 48 segments (P = 0.004) but not in the DMR group (from 209 +/- 43 to 215 +/- 52 segments) or in the control group (from 218 +/- 18 to 213 +/- 28 segments). Bicycle exercise duration showed slight nonsignificant changes in the VEGF group (from 3.6 +/- 2.0 to 4.6 +/- 2.1 min), in the DMR group (from 5.1 +/- 1.5 to 4.7 +/- 1.3 min), and in the control group (from 3.3 +/- 1.8 to 3.5 +/- 2.3 min). CONCLUSION: PET showed that intramyocardial gene therapy with the human VEGF165 gene in contrast to laser DMR treatment effectively reduces myocardial ischemia.

Coronary Artery Disease↗

[The laser therapy and laser acupunture of patients with chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis].

Laser therapy and laser acupuncture of the biologically active sites were administered to 24 patients with chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis. The biologically active sites were selected individually with due consideration for the underlying somatic condition. Good results were achieved in the patients with the fibrous form of chronic aphthous stomatitis. Secretory and serum immunoglobulin levels were monitored over the course of laser treatment.

Acupuncture Points↗

Our experiences with combination of enzyme therapy and laser therapy in enthesopathies.

The present communication brings a contribution to the confrontation of two treatment methods in enthesopathies (painful overload syndromes). In group A, 26 patients were treated by a combination of systemic enzyme therapy (SET) and non-invasive laser therapy. In group B, 13 persons were treated only by therapeutic laser. The average age in group A and B was of 39.3 and 41.8 years, respectively. The representation of men and women in the two groups was almost identical. The intensity of the pain prior to the treatment and after the treatment, specified by each patient with the help of a ten-grade scale, was evaluated by the variance analysis. The combined treatment by the SET and therapeutic laser was statistically significantly more efficient (p = 0.02). On the other hand, there was also a significant difference between the two groups in baseline values of average pain intensities. These values were of 7.0 and 5.2 in groups A and B, respectively. The average value of the pain intensity in all the 39 patients was of 6.6 prior to the treatment and it was reduced to 3.5 after the treatment.

Administration, Oral↗

Endoscopic applications of laser therapy.

Lasers have provided a new surgical tool that has several distinct advantages: It is effective at a distance ("no-touch" technique). It can cut, coagulate, and vaporize depending on the wavelength, energy, and tissue characteristics. Laser energy can be carried through flexible fibers and so can be used in previously inaccessible sites. Endoscopic laser surgery can now be successfully used for control of bleeding, palliation of obstructing tumors, detection in microscopic stages, and possibly as definitive treatment of small malignant tumors. The indications for the use of lasers and their successful application will undoubtedly increase in the near future.

Aged↗

Experience with photodynamic therapy (endoscopic laser therapy) for the treatment of early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Photodynamic therapy has been developed as an endoscopic laser therapy for gastrointestinal malignant tumors. The targets for curative upper gastrointestinal endoscopic therapy are carcinomas that are considered statistically unlikely to be accompanied with metastases to the lymph nodes. Endoscopic mucosal resection is the therapy of first choice for such carcinomas. In the application of photodynamic therapy, we narrow down its practical indications to patients who are not indicated for curative endoscopic treatment by preoperative examination or those with histologic findings of endoscopic mucosal resection specimens who reject surgical treatment or are at high risk in surgical treatment. METHODOLOGY: The effect of photodynamic therapy using Porfimer sodium and an Excimer dye laser was evaluated endoscopically in 8 lesions of 7 patients with early gastric cancer. RESULTS: Complete responses were obtained in all patients. As side effects, mild photosensitivity was seen in 6 patients and lasted for several months. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy was safety employed, with success in 7 patients with early gastric cancer. We conclude that photodynamic therapy can be a useful palliative method with high tumor selectivity in the treatment of early gastric cancer.

Aged↗

Outcome of cataract operations performed to permit diagnosis, to determine eligibility for laser therapy, or to perform laser therapy of retinal disorders.

Cataract operations may be recommended when retinal disease is suspected but cannot be adequately diagnosed or treated because of lens opacity. We evaluated the outcome of cataract operations performed under those circumstances. We reviewed the records of 119 patients who were examined at the Wilmer Retinal Vascular Center and within three months underwent a cataract operation. We identified 17 patients (20 eyes) who underwent a cataract operation at the recommendation of a retinal specialist, to permit diagnosis, to determine eligibility for laser therapy, or to perform laser therapy. After the cataract operation, eight (40%) of the 20 eyes were found to have a retinal disease for which laser therapy was recommended, and six (30%) of the 20 eyes underwent laser therapy that, before the cataract operation, had been impossible. These results indicate that a cataract operation may be useful when lenticular opacity prevents diagnosis or treatment in a patient with a suspected retinal disorder.

Adult↗

[Inhalation therapy and laser therapy in chronic bronchitis].

Sixty five patients aged 24 to 68 years who had chronic bronchitis (with the rate of exacerbations of at least twice a year) in the phase of exacerbation were examined. They were 46 males and 19 females. As being examined and diagnosed, all the patients were divided into 3 groups and treated by different regimens. Sixty five took drug therapy, in 44 patients it was supplemented by endobronchial laser radiation, 22 of them also received halo therapy. Following 6-week therapy, signs of endobronchitis disappeared in a significantly larger number of patients undergone laser therapy. Moreover, there was an increase in the interval between exacerbations in patients who additionally received halo therapy.

Adult↗

Focal occlusion of the rabbit carotid artery by endovascular laser therapy.

Laser energy was fiberoptically transmitted into the carotid artery of a series of rabbits to induce an acute focal arterial occlusion. Temporary interruption of blood flow during the treatment was necessary to achieve an occlusion. The arterial occlusive effects of three wavebands of laser energy were compared and the violet band proved the most effective when using 0.3-0.5 Joules/second for 25-30 seconds. There was always the risk of vascular perforation during treatment when laser energy emission was from a bare-tipped optical fiber.

Animals↗

[Palliative treatment of malignant stenoses of the esophagus and cardia: laser therapy versus laser + high-dose-rate Iridium 192 afterloading therapy. A prospective randomized study].

In order to compare the local efficiency of two different therapy modalities, 37 patients with advanced inoperable tumors of esophagus and cardia were evaluated hitherto in a prospective randomized study. Twenty patients received an exclusive laser treatment, 17 were additionally submitted to three high-dose-rate iridium-192 afterloading irradiations (single dose at the reference point 1 cm radially to the source: 7 Gy). In both groups, 15 patients died whose survival times were not different (125 versus 130 days), however, a beneficial influence was exerted by the afterloading therapy with respect to the duration of the palliative effect (67 versus 28 days) and the hospitalization time (25 versus 48 days).

Adenocarcinoma↗

Survival of patients undergoing Nd:YAG laser therapy compared with Nd:YAG laser therapy and brachytherapy for malignant airway disease.

Brachytherapy in combination with Nd:YAG laser therapy may add to the duration of survival of the palliative period when compared with laser alone. A retrospective study of patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was undertaken to determine if there was a difference in survival between those patients treated with Nd:YAG laser alone and those treated with Nd:YAG laser and brachytherapy. Twenty-two patients were treated with brachytherapy for malignant airway disease at our institution of which 13 had SCC. All patients had previously received treatment with Nd:YAG laser for exophytic disease. Survival was compared with those patients treated with Nd:YAG laser alone for SCC involving the airway. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with regard to age. The duration of survival of patients with SCC of the airway from the first Nd:YAG laser treatment was determined. A significant difference between those patients treated with Nd:YAG laser alone and those patients treated with combined therapy was found (p < 0.001). Brachytherapy may potentiate the duration of survival in patients with SCC involving the airway compared to palliation with Nd:YAG laser alone.

Aged↗