What is the primary purpose of surgical interventions in conjunction with VTP?

The primary purpose of surgical interventions in conjunction with Vascular Targeted Photodynamic (VTP) therapy is to remove necrotic tissue or residual tumor post-treatment. When VTP is administered, it targets specific areas to induce cell death in tumors through a combination of light activation and photosensitizers. However, some tumor tissue may remain after the treatment or the treatment may cause necrosis of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.

Surgical intervention is employed to ensure that any remaining tumor cells are completely excised, thereby reducing the likelihood of cancer recurrence and enhancing overall treatment efficacy. This step is crucial in achieving a more favorable prognosis for the patient, as residual tumor can lead to further complications or metastasis.

In contrast, improving psychological well-being, preventing light exposure, and enhancing the effectiveness of photosensitizers, while important in their own rights, do not serve as primary reasons for surgical intervention following VTP. The main focus of surgical interventions in this context is directly related to managing the physical aspect of tumor removal after VTP treatment.