BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: PDT has been used in the treatment of malignant brain 
tumors. This communication updates our series of unselected malignant gliomas 
treated with Photofrin-PDT.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined the records of 112 patients with malignant 
gliomas, metastatic brain tumors and meningiomas treated with Photofrin-PDT at 
St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto. These patients were treated prior to the onset 
of ongoing randomized trials in Photofrin PDT or had pathology that excluded 
them from such trials.
RESULTS: The overall post-PDT survival of 96 patients with supratentorial 
gliomas was 42 weeks, with a 40 and 22% 1- and 2-year survival, respectively. 
The greater the degree of oligodendroglial involvement the longer was the 
survival. Seventy-five percent of patients had no significant post-operative 
complications.
CONCLUSIONS: Photofrin-PDT was safe. However, higher light doses than were used 
in these patients may be required for improved responses.