Photodynamic therapy for colorectal cancer: A bibliometric and visualization analysis (1986–2025)

• This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric and visualization analysis of PDT in colorectal cancer, spanning the period from 1986 to 2025 and encompassing 828 publications. • Advances in endoscopic technology have enabled more precise PDT for colorectal cancer. • This field is expanding across disciplines and demands collaborative efforts from international research institutions. • PDT in colorectal cancer can be applied as a local treatment for tumor debulking, symptom control (bleeding/obstruction) and organ-preserving strategies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising minimally invasive modality for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), offering localized cytotoxicity and potential immune activation. However, a comprehensive overview of the global research landscape in this field is lacking. This study aims to systematically assess the global trends, collaborative networks, influential contributors, and current research status in the use of PDT for CRC via bibliometric analysis. Publications from 1986 to April 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection via a defined search strategy. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to analyze publication trends, country and institutional networks, journal impact, citation and co-citation patterns, and keyword evolution. A total of 828 publications were included. Global research on PDT for CRC has increased steadily since 2015, with China and the United States being the most prolific contributors. The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Chicago was prominent in terms of productivity and citation impact, respectively. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy was the leading journal. Keyword and citation burst analyses revealed major research themes and mapped the overall research landscape of PDT in CRC. Enhanced endoscopic visualization has facilitated the application of PDT in CRC, improving the precision of both lesion localization and therapeutic light delivery. PDT research for CRC is undergoing rapid expansion and increasing interdisciplinary integration. Although substantial progress has been made, its clinical translation remains at a relatively early stage. This bibliometric analysis presents the research landscape of PDT for CRC and highlights key contributors and major themes. While it offers a comprehensive overview for researchers and clinicians, it does not evaluate the validity or clinical relevance of individual studies.