Other Treatments

Photodynamic therapy (PDT)

PDT is a treatment for some types of cancer and can be used on occasions to treat lung cancer. It may also be used to treat some non-cancerous conditions of the skin or eye.

PDT uses laser, or other light sources, combined with a light-sensitive drug (sometimes called a photosensitising agent) to destroy cancer cells.

A photosensitising agent is a drug that makes cells more sensitive to light. Once in the body, the drug is attracted to cancer cells. It does not do anything until it is exposed to a particular type of light. When the light is directed at the area of the cancer, the drug is activated and the cancer cells are destroyed. Some healthy, normal cells in the body will also be affected by PDT, although these cells will usually heal after the treatment.

For more information goto http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treatments/Othertreatments/Photodynamictherapy

Radiofrequency Ablation

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation may be used in patients with small early-stage lung cancer for whom surgery is not appropriate or who do not wish to undergo conventional surgery, and for patients with a small number of lung metastases A small needle electrode is inserted through the skin directly into the tumour, usually under computed tomography (CT) guidance. Radiofrequency energy is passed through the electrode, producing heat which destroys the tumour tissue.

For a patient information leaflet please click on this link

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors