A multi-center retrospective study of photodynamic therapy with polyhematoporphyrin for malignant biliary obstruction: results of 76 consecutive applications

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality for malignant biliary obstruction. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze the experience with PDT using polyhematoporphyrin as a photosensitizer at different Austrian referral centers for biliary endoscopy. Methods: At the participating institutions charts of PDT patients were screened for their underlying diseases, anti-tumor co-therapies, interventional complications, adverse events within 30 days post PDT and follow-up. Results: 47 patients (34 male, 13 female, median age 70 years, range 46 to 86 years) underwent a total of…