Photodynamic Therapy for Thyroid Cancer

Background/Objectives: Thyroid cancer is the most common cancer of the endocrine system worldwide. Despite many available therapeutic options, the mortality rate of some subtypes, including anaplastic thyroid cancer, is still significant. Photodynamic therapy brings hope, which, through local activation of cell death pathways, as well as its effect on the immune system and vessels feeding the tumor, brings effects incomparable to classical methods. Photosensitizers particularly used in the case of thyroid cancer are hypericin, porphyrin, photophrin, radachlorin, or 5-aminolevulinic acid. Even better effects are achieved by administering sulforaphene, carboplatin, or genistein before therapy. Methods: For this research, we review articles in regard to provide a critical summary of the existing literature on thyroid cancer to explain the current state of scientific evidence on this topic. Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy is undoubtedly a technique of the future; the main advantages of which are low invasiveness, the possibility of combining with other treatment methods, or the possibility of outpatient use.