Photodynamic therapy in AIDS-related cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma
Article Abstract:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treatment of AIDS-related cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is not recommended because of side effects and a disfiguring result. Eight HIV-positive homosexual men received nine treatments of Photofrin and laser light on a total of 83 lesions. Side effects included swelling, muscle stiffness, blisters, pain, scarring, and increased pigmentation of the lesion. Itching and blistering resulted from an inflammatory reaction. Tumors on the head and neck tended to respond better to photodynamic therapy than tumors on the extremities, possibly because these lesions were younger tumors. Larger, raised lesions recurred more often which could be due to unsatisfactory light penetration. The response rate of PDT of 60-70% at five months in this study is considered on par with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the side effects prohibit recommendation.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Design and assessment of cost-effectiveness studies in AIDS populations
Article Abstract:
Cost-effectiveness analyses of treatment for HIV and AIDS must be interpreted cautiously because of the variability methods of treatment and analysis. Because HIV infection may be treated by many drugs at a time and at different disease stages, economic evaluation of single drugs is complicated. Furthermore, different economic studies vary in what costs they include, what outcomes they measure, and whose cost perspective they consider. Such studies must account for the differences between treatment in a clinical trial and treatment in the community. They must also adjust for differences in inherent social and biological risks between populations. People who make care decisions should evaluate economic studies based on the changing practices in this developing field and on the ability of studies to avoid the problems of analysing HIV treatment.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Effect of whole-body hyperthermia on AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma: a pilot study. Developing quality review criteria from standards of care for HIV disease: a framework
- Abstracts: Infection of baboons with simian human immunodeficiency viruses. part 2 Axonal sprouting in hippocampus of cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
- Abstracts: Evidence for a shift from a type I lymphocyte pattern with HIV disease progression. part 2 Overexpression of monosialoganglioside GM3 on lymphocyte plasma membrane in patients with HIV infection
- Abstracts: Back-projection and sensitivity analysis of the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean. part 2 Hospitalization of patients infected with active TB in New York State, 1987-1992: the effect of the HIV epidemic
- Abstracts: Teaching alternative therapies to diploma nursing students. Its a duet not a duel. A creditable experience