Open Access

REVIEW

Illuminating the use of photodynamic therapy in urologic oncology

Gabrielle R. Yankelevich¹, Kale Moreland², Makayla M. Swancutt², Robert L. Grubb¹

1 Department of Urology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
2 Kansas City University Osteopathic Medical School, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Address correspondence to Dr. Gabrielle Yankelevich, Department of Urology, MUSC Health, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 620, Charleston SC 29425 USA

Canadian Journal of Urology 2024, 31(6), 12035-12044.

Abstract

Introduction: We report the first scoping review of the clinical urologic literature for photodynamic therapy (PDT) among multiple urologic malignancies.
Materials and methods: A scoping review using Medline and Embase was performed for treatment of urologic malignancies with PDT.
Results: There were 84 papers included with the majority involving bladder and prostate cancer. Upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) only comprised three publications and there was no clinical data for renal or testicular cancer. Utilizing PDT in prostate cancer led to a negative biopsy rate of 30%-100%. Bladder cancer treatment with PDT had a 3-month complete response rate of 31.5%-100%. UTUC management with PDT reported at least 50% complete response rate.
Conclusions: Ultimately, PDT has been established as a safe and effective treatment for urologic malignancies and we provide the first comprehensive review of the literature regarding the utility of this treatment modality.

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Keywords

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