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	Sunday 6th August 2000 Head And Neck Cancer Breakthrough The latest trials on Foscan – mediated photodynamic therapy - indicate that it might be a very important advance in the treatment of primary, secondary and advanced head and neck cancer. Photodynamic therapy is a non-surgical technique using light (usually from a laser) to activate light-sensitive drugs in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Foscan – developed by Scotia Pharmaceuticals, is a second-generation photosensitising agent. A study revealed that there was complete elimination of the tumour (up to 4cms in diameter) in 88 per cent of patients deemed evaluable at 12 weeks. The study is ongoing with subjects being followed for 2 years. The results so far suggest that this response to treatment was durable, with a complete response rate of 86 per cent. Study author, Mr Colin Hopper, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, said, ‘These results suggest that Foscan has the potential to become a first-line treatment in primary head and neck cancers. It appears to be an effective procedure with minimal morbidity and good cosmetic and functional results’. A second study on Foscan showed that 55 per cent of patients deemed evaluable had a complete tumour response post treatment and a further 31 per cent had a partial tumour response. A third study to determine the palliative benefit of Foscan in patients with advanced head and neck cancer showed that 33 per cent of the 64 patients achieved successful palliation of their prospectively defined symptom or complication, and 53 per cent of patients achieved meaningful palliative clinical benefit as determined by an Independent Assessment Board.