Photodynamic therapy is a new weapon against cancer in Kazakhstan!

Photodynamic therapy is a systemic and loco-regional method of diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasms. The method is based on the selective accumulation of certain light-absorbing drugs (photosensitizers) in pathological, including tumor tissue, capable of causing light reflex in biological tissues after irradiation with light of a certain wavelength.

PDT combines well with classic treatments such as surgery, medication and radiotherapy, improving the results of each. PDT can be used as an independent method in early and advanced stages, as an alternative method. The routes of PDT are also extensive- locally, intravenously, interstitially and intraoperatively.

PDT is currently used not only in oncology. Gynecology, urology, purulent surgery, ophthalmology - this is not a complete list of specialties where photodynamic therapy is widely used.

Since November 2016 in the Republic of Kazakhstan PDT was officially started for the first time in the Medical Centre Hospital of President’s Affairs Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. PDT is carried out by the head of the Photodynamic Therapy Center of the Medical Centre Hospital of President’s Affairs Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, holder of Habilitation degree in Medicine professor N.A. Shanazarov, who worked on probation in Russia, Lithuania and Israel.

The results of the center were published in many medical publications, including foreign publication with high impact factor, the results were also reported at republican and international conferences. More than 10 certificates of authorship were received.

In the center (office) of PDT in the Medical Centre Hospital of President’s Affairs Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan are carried out:

• Photodynamic therapy of neoplasms and other non-neoplastic diseases;
• Systemic Photodynamic Therapy (SPDT);
• Intravenous laser blood irradiation (ILBI);
• Laser destruction of skin neoplasms.

Since its opening, about 700 photodynamic therapy procedures have been performed in the photodynamic therapy room. The treatment was given to patients with malignant neoplasms:

• skin;
• oral cavity;
• oesophagus;
• venter;
• trachea and large bronchi;
• cervix uteri;
• lactiferous gland;
• urinary bladder;
• as well as with benign neoplasms, dermal diseases, female reproductive system diseases (kraurosis, leukoplakia).

Treatment of postoperative pleural empyema was performed successfully for the first time. Master-classes were held in the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent city, the Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe city, the Russian Federation, Kazan city.