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Oncology
New photodynamic therapy used in
Edmonton
EDMONTON – Capital Health’s Royal
Alexandra Hospital is now offering Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) to
patients with esophageal cancer or advanced Barrett’s Esophagus on a
pilot basis.
“We’re thrilled to offer this innovative treatment as an option for
patients in the Capital Health region, northern Alberta and beyond. It
is less invasive and safer than surgery and can be performed in
conjunction with other therapies,” says Dr. Clarence Wong, medical lead
for the project and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of
Gastroenterology, University of Alberta. “It also allows us to provide
this treatment to patients closer to home.”
PDT is a treatment option for patients with esophageal cancer or
advanced Barrett’s Esophagus who previously would have undergone
radiation, chemotherapy, stent placement, surgery, or a combination of
these therapies.
Barrett’s Esophagus occurs in 10 percent of patients with
gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). As the esophagus tries to
protect itself from acid reflux, it grows abnormal tissue in the
troubled area. That tissue has a significant risk of turning into
cancer.
Patients are intravenously given the agent Photofrin, which is absorbed
by Barrett’s or cancerous cells. A couple of days after the injection, a
laser is used in the esophagus to activate the agent which causes the
cancerous cells to die and slough off. The agent works in the
problematic areas allowing Dr. Wong and the PDT team to attack only the
abnormal cells without damaging healthy cells.
Dr. Wong and his team received training at Roswell Park Cancer Institute
in Buffalo, New York last year.
“Capital Health has never before offered this therapy for
gastrointestinal patients so our team had a great deal of learning to
do,” says Dr. Wong. The agent makes patients extremely sensitive to
light so our staff have to ensure the patients are well covered so they
don’t burn while in hospital or out,” says Dr. Wong.
The PDT team also has to educate patients on how their bodies will react
with the agent. Patients are required to minimize bright light and
sunlight for 90 days following the treatment. Long sleeves, pants,
gloves, socks and sunglasses are required when heading outdoors and
patients are required to wear a balaclava or scarf to cover their faces
and necks.
Patients must also modify their living environment while the agent is in
their system. Some types of lighting at home have to be dimmed and
patients need to avoid sitting near a sunny window since they won’t feel
their skin burning.The pilot project, which is being funded by Capital
Health, will treat 15 patients over the next several months. Once the
pilot is complete there will be a comprehensive evaluation which will
determine whether PDT will continue.To date, four patients have
undergone the treatment.
“PDT is an innovative technology which has furthered our knowledge base
in Capital Health and this pilot project has been a tremendous
opportunity to learn and to share that specialized knowledge,” says Dr.
Wong.
About Capital Health
Capital Health in Edmonton is Canada’s largest health region and is
affiliated with the University of Alberta, providing integrated health
services to one million residents in Edmonton and the surrounding area.
Capital Health acts as a referral centre to central and northern
Alberta, the North and the Prairies, providing specialized services such
as trauma and burn treatment, organ transplants and high-risk
obstetrics.
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