Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjunct During Stent-Bridged Neoadjuvant Management of Obstructive Colon Cancer: A Case-Based Narrative Review.
Ben Liu, Zhen Ma, Zhuanfang Wang et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A patient with obstructive rectosigmoid adenocarcinoma underwent endoscopic placement of a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS), followed by interval endoluminal photodynamic therapy (PDT) and systemic neoadjuvant therapy. Curative resection subsequently showed a pathologic complete response. The report presents this multimodal sequence as technically feasible, while noting that the contribution of PDT cannot be separated from the other treatments and that the case does not establish efficacy.
What made this case unusual
PDT was incorporated between SEMS placement and systemic neoadjuvant therapy as an adjunct in the management of obstructive rectosigmoid cancer, a role the authors describe as investigational.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
A pathologic complete response after multimodal treatment does not establish the efficacy of PDT; it should be regarded as a potential adjunct, not a substitute for systemic therapy or standard oncologic surgery.
Why it matters
Prospective study is needed to clarify patient selection, timing, and safety for PDT in this setting.