Photodynamic therapy of cutaneous metastases from breast cancer

Introduction: In 20% of cases the breast cancer is accompanied by the development of cutaneous metastases, which are like dense small round nodules and most commonly present on the chest wall. The purpose of the study was to research into the possibility to use photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the photosensitizer “photolon” for treatment of cutaneous metastases of breast cancer. Materials and methods: PDT with Photolon photosensitizer was administered to 41 patients with skin metastases from breast cancer. The total number of treated nodule and nodular lesions was 392. The photosensitizer at dose of 0.9-1.6 mg/kg was injected to all patients. Radiation area varied from 1 to 6 cm, the number of fields varied from 1 to 26, the light energy density varied from 0.11 to 0.56 J/cm 2, a light power density varied from 0.3 to 2.0 W/cm 2. Results: Metastases that received PDT showed complete regression in 46% of lesions, partial regression in 39% of lesions, progression occurred in 15%. Objective response to treatment was 85%. Conclusions: The use of PDT with photosensitizers for cutaneous metastases from breast cancer allows obtaining satisfactory results in the presence of insignificant number of side effects.