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Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of early esophageal cancer : a systematic review and economic evaluation

Description

Early esophageal cancer refers to cancer that has not spread beyond the mucosal lining of the esophagus or to the lymph nodes. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of several endoscopic techniques... More ≫

Description

Early esophageal cancer refers to cancer that has not spread beyond the mucosal lining of the esophagus or to the lymph nodes. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of several endoscopic techniques used to treat early stage esophageal cancer. It uses a photosensitizing drug that is activated by light to ablate abnormal tissue. This assessment examines the safety and effectiveness of PDT for early stage esophageal cancer, compared to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, combined chemoradiotherapy, and a number of more recently introduced endoscopic techniques. This report also assesses the social and economic considerations associated with PDT compared to other therapies, and the implications of its use in Alberta.

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