title: Treatment of distal ureteral tumors using endoscopic argon photoirradiation.
abstract: This is the first report on the use of endoscopic argon photoirradiation to treat patients with low-grade ureteral tumors involving the distal ureter. Using a rigid ureteropyeloscope, a 300 mu or 600 mu quartz fiber, and 5 watts (W) of power in a continuous-wave mode, the lesions were ablated without complication. Patients remain free of ureteral recurrence after 5, 7, and 22 months. We conclude that the shallow (1 mm) depth of penetration and the ability to use the fiber in either a contact or noncontact mode provide the surgeon a large margin of safety and low risk of ureteral perforation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*