NCH First in Southwest Florida to Offer Laser Procedure for Treating Airway Tumors

Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) has become the first healthcare provider in Southwest Florida to offer Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), an advanced laser treatment for patients with specific forms of lung and airway tumors. This procedure which uses existing technology in a novel way, is a game-changer for patients with limited treatment options.

PDT is a highly targeted treatment that uses a photosensitizing drug called Photofrin® and a specialized laser to destroy cancerous tissue in the airways while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. After the medication is absorbed by the tumor, a controlled dose of laser light activates it, triggering a reaction that destroys the cancer cells. Healthy tissue, though photosensitized, is unaffected by the light exposure.

Though this laser technology has been around for some time, the innovative use of it at NCH within the field of pulmonary oncology is new and unique. It is being used as both a curative treatment for certain localized non-small cell lung cancers confined to the airway, and as a palliative treatment for relieving airway obstruction caused by tumor growth, which often leads to post-obstructive pneumonia. In these cases, PDT restores airway patency and improves patient comfort and breathing.

Dr David Lindner DO

“Historically, patients with near-complete airway obstruction had very limited treatment options,” said David Lindner, DO, Division Head Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine at NCH. “While we’ve long offered innovative approaches like airway stenting and intrabronchial chemotherapy, the availability of this new capability adds a powerful new tool to our arsenal.”

Due to the significant capital investment required for the laser and the procedure’s highly specialized nature, PDT is not widely available and the number of patients who qualify is relatively small. However, for those patients, this treatment can be life-changing — and, in some cases, life-saving. NCH is proud to continue its tradition of bringing advanced care to Southwest Florida by investing in technologies that expand treatment possibilities, even for smaller patient populations.

“We are always striving to deliver the highest-quality care,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH. “We’re committed to doing what’s best for our patients – providing advanced healthcare solutions as the leader of innovation in our region.”

ABOUT NCH

NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 100 Hospitals which puts it in the top 2% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care. The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with a total of 713 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 750 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top-3 in the state by Healthgrades. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.