Trial of Photodynamic Therapy Versus Argon Plasma Coagulation for Lung Cancer With Endobronchial Obstruction

Participants on this arm will be treated with photodynamic therapy. PDT is a two-stage process. The first stage of PDT is the intravenous injection of porfimer sodium (Photofrin) administered as a single slow intravenous injection over 3 to 5 minutes. The second stage involves the application of laser light to the tumor by bronchoscopy.

"Participants on this arm will be treated with argon plasma coagulation. A flexible probe housing a wire delivers high-frequency, high-voltage electric current to a monopolar tungsten electrode present at the tip of the probe. Argon gas flows through the probe, and is charged or ionized to produce plasma as it flows around the tungsten electrode. Electric current flows through the plasma to the nearest tissue, and heat is produced as it passes through the tissue. Increased resistance created by coagulated tissue impairs the flow of electric current, and keeps the ablation depth to 1 to 2 mm."