What would you think if a doctor told someone fighting cancer, "Let's do a special laser treatment now?" This is not an ordinary laser. What you do is give the body a special drug that sticks to cancer cells and destroys them when the laser light hits them. One such special drug is called Porfimer. Let's talk about this in a simple and clear way today.
What is this Porfimer?
Simply put, porfimer is a light-sensitizing drug. The way it works is amazing. Think of it like a magnet that only sticks to cancer cells.
We inject this medicine into the body through a vein. Then the particles of this medicine travel throughout the body, specifically finding and attaching to cancer cells. It doesn't affect healthy cells as much.
About two days after the drug is given, the doctor directs a special laser light at the cancer site. The particles of the drug that are attached to the cancer cells absorb this laser light and become active. The resulting chemical reaction destroys only the cancer cells that are attached to them. We call this whole process photodynamic therapy (PDT) .
This treatment method is mainly used for:
- For esophageal cancer
- For lung cancer
- Treat a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus .
Apart from this, this medicine can also be used for other medical conditions as per the doctor's advice.
Things to tell your doctor before treatment
Before starting this treatment, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to tell them if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you have esophageal ulcers, fistulas, or varicose veins.
- If you have kidney disease or liver disease.
- If you have a rare disease called porphyria.
- If you have recently received or are currently receiving radiation therapy.
- If your doctors have told you that your cancer has spread (metastasized) to a major blood vessel.
- If you have an allergic reaction to Porfimer or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant , trying to get pregnant , or breastfeeding .
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home. This medicine is given by injection into a vein in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nurse who has been specially trained for this.
If you are giving this medicine to children, special care is needed. Talk to your pediatrician about this.
What if the dosage of the medicine increases?
This is unlikely to happen as it is given in hospital. However, if you think you have taken too much of the medicine, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
What if I miss a dose?
It is very important to receive treatment on the date and time that the doctor has given you. If for some reason you are unable to go at that time, call your doctor immediately and let him know.
Can there be interactions with other medications?
Yes, some medications can interact with this medicine. So tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (medicines for other conditions, vitamins, herbal remedies, dietary supplements). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Problems can occur, in particular, with the following types of drugs:
- Some types of antibiotics - for example, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines.
- Some diabetes medications.
- Griseofulvin is an antifungal medication.
- Phenothiazines are drugs used for mental illness.
- Thiazide diuretics are medications that increase urine output.
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor everything you're taking.
Things to consider during treatment
You need to take great care of yourself after taking this medicine.
Protection from the sun and bright light
This is the most important and must-follow advice. After taking this medicine, your skin will become extremely sensitive to light. Therefore, avoid direct sunlight for at least 30 days after taking the medicine . If you have to go out, wear clothes that cover your entire body and wear a hat. Sunscreen does not provide any protection in this condition . Also, you should definitely avoid bright indoor lights and tanning beds.
Your eyes will also become very sensitive to light, so wear good dark sunglasses when you go outside for at least a month after taking the medicine.
Pregnancy and lactation
- Women:Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for 5 months after stopping treatment.
- Men: If you are receiving this treatment, avoid fathering a child during treatment and for 5 months after stopping it.
- Avoid breastfeeding your child during this time.
This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing, wheezing. |
| Chest pain | Sudden, severe chest pain. |
| Coughing up blood | Coughing up blood with mucus. |
| Fever | Fever without a reason. |
| Symptoms of blood loss ( anemia ) | Feeling more tired than usual, feeling faint, and feeling lifeless. |
| Difficulty swallowing | Difficulty swallowing food or drink. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Digestive system problems | Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. |
| Anorexia | Decreased appetite. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Porfimer is a special drug that targets and destroys cancer cells using laser light.
- After this treatment, your skin and eyes will be very sensitive to light for at least 30 days . Protect yourself from sunlight and bright light completely. Sunscreen does not provide any protection .
- It is essential to give your doctor a complete description of all other medications, vitamins, and health conditions you are taking.
- Avoid becoming pregnant or fathering children during treatment and for 5 months after it ends.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe allergic reactions, inform your doctor or hospital immediately.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Porfimer Injection / Photofrin used for?
This is a highly advanced (Photodynamic Therapy / PDT) cancer treatment in medicine! This vaccine is mostly used to destroy severe cancerous tumors in the throat/ears (esophageal cancer) and lungs (NSCLC), without having to cut and remove them surgically, by using a 'laser light' to destroy the cancer.
💬 How does this drug (Porfimer) and laser light destroy cancer cells?
This medicine is useless to you, it only works on 'light'! (Photosensitizer). When this is injected into a vein, this medicine goes into the blood and is deposited inside the cancer cells for a few days. Then the doctor inserts a tube and shines a 'red laser light (630nm Light)' on the cancer! As soon as the light hits, this medicine reacts inside the cancer and creates 'toxic oxygen (Singlet oxygen)', destroying the cancer from the inside like a bomb exploding.
💬 Why do you say not to go out in the sun (Photosensitivity) after this vaccine?
This is the most dangerous and biggest problem with this treatment! The medicine stays not only in the cancer but also in the skin/tissue. Therefore, if you are exposed to 'sunlight (sun) or strong light bulbs' for 30-90 days (1-3 months) after this treatment, your entire skin/body will burn as if it were on fire (Severe Photosensitivity Reaction)! Therefore, it is mandatory to stay in a dark room/dress to completely cover the body.
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