Photodynamic Therapy in Treating Patients With Premalignant or Early Stage Head and Neck Tumors

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following within the past 3 months:
• * Erythroplakia with dysplasia
• * Severe dysplasia
• * Carcinoma in situ of the head and neck for which standard therapy is not indicated, according to any of the following:
• * Medical condition that precludes surgery
• * Lesions that cannot be completely resected based on size or location
• * Significant functional morbidity would be anticipated with further surgery
• * Refused standard therapy after the treatment has been discussed and offered
• No invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• ECOG performance status of 0-2
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
• Total bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST or ALT ≤ 2 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times ULN
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No prior chronic liver disease or cirrhosis of the liver
• No porphyria or hypersensitivity to porphyrins
• No significant cardiovascular history that, in the opinion of a cardiologist, would deem the patient at risk for hypotension that may occur with oral administration of aminolevulinic acid (Levulan®)
• No prior adverse reaction to ondansetron or lorazepam
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Not specified