Photodynamic Therapy Using HPPH in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer That Blocks the Air Passages

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Biopsy confirmed advanced obstructing endobronchial non-small cell lung cancer

May have squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or large cell carcinoma histology
Ineligible for or refused surgical resection
Local endobronchial recurrence after prior surgical resection, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy allowed
No evidence of tumor encasement of major pulmonary vessels on CT scan of the chest

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Karnofsky performance status (PS) 50-100% OR ECOG PS 0-2
WBC ≥ 4,000/mm³
Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
Prothrombin time < 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
Total bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
Alkaline phosphatase (hepatic) ≤ 3 times ULN
SGOT ≤ 3 times ULN
No contraindications for bronchoscopy
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after the completion of study treatment
Patients with underlying lung disease must be judged (by the principal investigator) able to withstand mucous/debris formation at the site of treatment
Patients who cannot breathe due to complete upper airway obstruction and who need emergency treatment to open the airway are not eligible
No porphyria or hypersensitivity to porphyrin or porphyrin-like compounds
No severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude multiple bronchoscopies
No partial central airway obstruction from mucous/debris formation
No high-grade upper airway obstruction of the trachea

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Any type of prior therapy (e.g., chemotherapy or radiotherapy) for lung cancer allowed
At least 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy