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Nd:YAG laser therapy for palliation of recurrent squamous cell carcinomas in the oral cavity
Author(s) -
Paiva Marcos B.,
Blackwell Keith E.,
Saxton Romaine E.,
Bublik Michael,
Liu Carson D.,
Paolini Ana Amélia P. Paiva,
Calcaterra Thomas C.,
Castro Dan J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.10077
Subject(s) - medicine , tongue , basal cell , oral cavity , buccal administration , buccal mucosa , hard palate , surgery , carcinoma , laser therapy , laser , dentistry , pathology , physics , optics
Background and Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of laser photo‐thermoablation for palliation of recurrent squamous cell tumors of the oral cavity. Study Design/Patients and Methods Seventeen patients were treated with the Nd:YAG laser (power output was 50 W) delivered through a curved oral handpiece. Results Ten patients are alive, 7 with tumor remission, and 3 with persistent disease with an average follow‐up of 16 months (range = 2–36). A total of 29 tumor sites received laser treatment with 17 (58%) completely ablated. Stratified by tumor site Nd:YAG treatment led to complete local response in 8/10 buccal mucosa, 2/5 retromolar trigone, 2/2 tongue, 2/5 gingiva, 1/2 floor of mouth, 2/4 hard palate. Conclusions Nd:YAG laser treatment of recurrent oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma can be performed safely and repeated as needed to achieve tumor palliation. However, extended follow‐up may be needed before convincing evidence of long‐term therapeutic benefits is obtained. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:64–69, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.