It also remains in the skin for about four weeks. Two days after the Photofrin is infused, the patient will undergo upper endoscopy under conscious sedation. This is an outpatient, office procedure where the patient is sedated using medications such as Demerol and Versed, which are similar to morphine and Valium. During this procedure, non-thermal light from a laser, carried by a fiberoptic guide, is passed through the endoscope and directed at the cancer tissue in the esophagus. This painless procedure usually lasts about 30 minutes.
Complications are rare.
The laser light activates the Photofrin contained in the cancerous cells and produces a chain reaction that destroys the cells. Since Photofrin is mostly contained in the cancerous cells, there is relatively less damage to the surrounding normal tissue. Neither the drug nor the laser light by themselves have any effect. It is this unique reaction between laser light and Photofrin that makes photodynamic therapy possible. These symptoms are usually controlled with the limited use of pain relievers and other medications.