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Transoral management of localized carcinoma of the oral cavity using the CO 2 laser
Author(s) -
Strong M. Stuart,
Vaughan Charles W.,
Healy Gerald B.,
Shapshay Stanley M.,
Jako Geza J.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-197906000-00005
Subject(s) - medicine , oral cavity , leukoplakia , lesion , verrucous carcinoma , carcinoma , tracheotomy , carcinoma in situ , laser , cancer , laser surgery , surgery , radiology , pathology , dentistry , optics , physics
Since 1972 we have been cautiously exploring the use of CO 2 laser in the management of carefully selected cases of localized carcinoma of the oral cavity. At the present time our experience is based on the treatment of 57 patients with cancer of the oral cavity. The CO 2 laser has been found to be an indispensable tool in the transoral management of T 1 carcinomas, multiple superficial carcinoma, extensive leukoplakia and verrucous carcinoma. The laser allows precise excision of the lesion and involved mucosa and provides an excellent specimen for histologic verification of the margins. The morbidity of laser excision is minimal, so that a tracheotomy is not needed and patients can almost always be discharged on the following day. (Follow‐up data on those patients at risk for 30 months indicate excellent control rates.)