This article is from page 11 of the 2008-07-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A CANCER expert told a jury that he “had great difficulty” believing that a specialised laser treatment – photo- dynamic therapy (PDT) – would have any affect on deep-seated cancers.
A consultant radiation oncologist at Galway University Hospital, Profes- sor Frank Sullivan gave evidence as an expert witness called by the pros- ecution in the case against former GP Pascal Carmody.
Prof Sullivan told the Circuit Court in Ennis that he worked with PDT for treating some cancers while he was
cancer centre director for Holy Cross Health, Silver Spring as well as CEO and medical director of Maryland Regional Cancer Care.
He said the treatment would only be effective when treating cancers on the skin or on the lining of structures such as the airways and food tube.
PDT involves the use of a photo- sensitising drug that is administered intravenously through the vein.
When it reaches the cancer cells in the presence of oxygen if a light is shone directly on to the cancerous cells they will very likely be killed.
He told the court that the laser
would not penetrate more than 5mm and was ineffective on deep-rooted cancers such as lung cancer or can- cer in the bone.
The 1l-person jury has already heard that 15-year-old Conor O’Sullivan from County Wexford had undergone PDT treatment in July 2002 in the East Clinic.
Having examined the young teen’s medical notes Prof Sullivan said that he had suffered from a very aggres- sive form of cancer – Ewing’s Sar- coma.
“I can see no reason to consider PDT for the child,’ said the expert
with 25 years experience in cancer treatment.
Prof Sullivan was also asked about the effects of PDT on the cancer suf- fered by Mullingar man, the late JJ CRUE toe
He said the 46-year-old’s cancer had spread even after his stomach, part of his liver and spleen had been removed.
“To shine a light that would only penetrate 5mm would be very inef- fective,” he said.
He said that likewise the treatment would be ineffective in the late John Sheridan from Kilkenny who had
suffered from cancer of the rectum that spread to the liver.
Prof Sullivan also gave evidence that patients treated with the licensed photosensitising drug – photofolora – were extremely sensitive to light for AUemeaeyela ele
They would suffer from severe sun- burn and their lips and face would swell if they went outdoors without wearing long clothes and a special PPI Ele ENF
He said the only information he had on the drug used in the East Clinic – radochlorin – was that it was from Russia.