The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on photo-dynamic therapy for early oesophageal cancer in December 2006. In accordance with the Interventional Procedures Programme Process Guide, guidance on procedures with special arrangements are reviewed 3 years after publication and the procedure is reassessed if important new evidence is available.

The guidance was considered for reassessment in December 2009 and it was concluded that NICE will not be updating this guidance at this stage. However, if you believe there is new evidence which should warrant a review of our guidance, please contact us via the email address below.

Description

Oesophageal cancer usually originates in the lining of the oesophagus and can develop in the upper, middle, or lower section of the organ. Photodynamic therapy uses light to kill cancer cells. The patients takes a drug that makes cancerous cells sensitive to light. Then the doctor shines a very bright light onto the oesophagous which activates the drug and kills the cells.

Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.