Long‐term follow‐up results of Nd: YAG laser treatment of premalignant and malignant (Stage I) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Background and Objectives Only few studies (none from India) have reported the role of Neodymium Yttrium‐Aluminum‐Garnet (Nd: YAG) laser for treatment of premalignant and stage I (T 1 N 0 M 0 ) oral cancer. This study aimed to assess the outcome of Nd: YAG laser in the said lesions after a follow‐up of 5 years. Design : Prospective study; Setting : a tertiary care hospital, North India. Patients and Methods Fifty biopsy proven patients of premalignant/malignant (Stage I) lesions oral cavity underwent Nd: YAG laser treatment after prior informed consent from January, 1997 to January, 2000. Patients were followed‐up for 5 years. In addition to local recurrence, patient's mucosal response to laser in terms of pain, mastication, salivation, paraesthesias, facial expressions, and speech was also recorded. Results Twenty‐seven patients had leukoplakia, 3 erythroplakia, 6 carcinoma in situ (CIS), and 14 stage I squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of oral cavity. Four patients required repeat laserization for residual/ recurrent lesion and 15 patients were lost to follow‐up. Recurrence free survival (RFS) at 5‐years in premalignant and stage I SCC patients was 97.2 and 78.6%, respectively. A minimal persistent edema was observed in 6 (12%) patients at the end of 7th day, rest all tolerated the procedure well. Conclusions The present study indicates that Nd: YAG laser is an effective and safe surgical option management of premalignant and malignant lesions of oral cavity. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:281–285. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.