Patent ID: 6905671

Claim:
A method for detecting and treating a malignant tumor, which method comprises; administering a tumor detecting effective amount, to a host in need of detection of a malignant tumor, of 5-aminolevulinic acid or a derivative thereof in which at least one carbon atom of said 5-aminolevulinic acid is a carbon isotope and/or a nitrogen atom in its amino group is a nitrogen isotope, and where said derivative is an ester, amide, salt, hydrate or solvate of said 5-aminolevulinic acid; detecting the malignant tumor using NMR; and administering an effective amount of said 5-aminolevulinic acid or derivative thereof, in which at least one carbon atom of said 5-aminolevulinic acid is a carbon isotope and/or a nitrogen atom in its amino group is a nitrogen isotope, and where said derivative is an ester, amide, salt, hydrate or solvate of said 5-aminolevulinic acid, to kill said malignant tumor.