Utilization of ultrasound in photoimmunotherapy for head and neck cancer: a case report

BackgroundPhotoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a new cancer treatment based on a different mechanism from conventional treatments that combines the administration of a photoabsorber and laser illumination. PIT has two characteristics: a high selectivity of target cells and the possibility of effects beyond the illuminated area. It is thus a potentially effective treatment for a wide variety of cancers.Case presentationWe herein report a patient with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with superficial cervical lymph node recurrence. Intraoperative ultrasound confirmed the localization of the lesion and major vessels near the tumor. We punctured the tumor with catheters of laser illumination under ultrasound guidance. Laser illumination was able to be performed safely without causing serious adverse events, and the effect on the illuminated site was fully exhibited.ConclusionsUltrasound allows for the intraoperative monitoring of each localized area and the puncture status easily in real-time. Accurate utilization of ultrasound is extremely important in PIT.

Automated summary

Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a new cancer treatment that combines a photoabsorber and laser illumination. It has high selectivity and the potential for effects beyond the illuminated area, making it a potentially effective treatment for various cancers.