Photodynamic Therapy for Refractory Superficial Bladder Cancer: Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Single Treatment Using Intravesical Diffusion Medium

Abstract

This is the first report of long-term results following whole-bladder PDT using diffusion medium for isotropic light distribution. More than half of the patients with TCC refractory to traditional intravesical therapy received benefit from a single PDT session. Patients with extensive flat papillary lesions do not appear to respond well. Patients who achieve a CR have less likelihood of and longer time interval before needing cystectomy for progressive disease than NR patients. Our PDT protocol is associated with minimal morbidity in these high-risk patients.