According to statistics from 179 gynecology clinics in Japan, there are about 3000 C. I. S. reported annually, and when severe dysplasia and micro-invasive cancer are included this number becomes about 5000 cases annually. Recently, the number of younger patients who wish to preserve fertility has been increasing, and in order to cope with these demands, PDT has been receiving special attention due to its usefulness as a break-through treatment method. It can preserve patients- fertility while leaving the cervix intact and can be performed without anesthesia since there is no bleeding.In addition, the CR ratio is very high, and it is considered that PDT has no negative affect on pregnancy and delivery.
We have performed PDT on 100 cases, and 97 became CR (97%).
Among these 100 cases, 71 were C. I. S. 26 were dysplasia, and in recent cases we have perfomed PDT on 2 micro-invasive carcinoma, and 1 was endocervical adenocarcinoma, micro-invasive. All cases became CR after the treatment. Also, even where there was stump remnant, in which a total hysterectomy is usually needed after cold knife conization, the patient became CR after PDT treatment, and had a normal pregnancy and delivery.
We expect that in the near future, PDT will be perfomed using small lasers with variable laser wave length, and without any hospitalization due to the ongoing progress and development of photosensitizer which has a shorter retention time.