Photodynamic Therapy in Treating Patients With Cancer of the Bile Duct, Gallbladder, or Pancreas
Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer, Gallbladder Cancer, Liver Cancer
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer focused on measuring stage I pancreatic cancer, stage II pancreatic cancer, stage III pancreatic cancer, stage IV pancreatic cancer, recurrent pancreatic cancer, unresectable gallbladder cancer, recurrent gallbladder cancer, unresectable extrahepatic bile duct cancer, recurrent extrahepatic bile duct cancer, cholangiocarcinoma of the gallbladder, cholangiocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct, adult primary cholangiocellular carcinoma
Eligibility Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven malignant bile duct obstruction with obstructive jaundice Primary carcinoma of bile duct, gallbladder, or pancreas OR Metastatic bile duct disease Successful insertion of a percutaneous drain or endoscopic stent Unresectable disease OR Resectable disease but refusal of surgery Prior biliary plastic or metallic stent allowed, if requiring stent replacement due to recurrent jaundice or routine plastic stent change No erosion of biliary tumors into major blood vessels No evidence of bile duct perforation PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin at least 2 mg/dL Renal: Not specified Other: No history of allergies or hypersensitivity to porphyrins No porphyria No cholangitis or pancreatitis PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No concurrent radiotherapy or brachytherapy to the abdomen Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No other prior or concurrent experimental or investigational drugs
Sites / Locations
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center