A Lamp for Cancer Phototherapy

Abstract

The lamp described comprises a 1000 W incandescent filament source, long- and short-wave pass filters, and a non-imaging reflector system. The output of 24 W in the 620-720 nm band is delivered through a 53 mm diameter aperture with a maximum divergence half-angle of 60°. Refracting components may be fitted to modify the output angular or intensity distribution. This lamp has been used to irradiate several different types of malignant tumour in human patients, following intravenous injection of the photoactive drug haematoporphyrin derivative, causing selective necrosis of the malignant tissue. The clinical results are regarded as encouraging.