Nd:YAG laser therapy for palliation of recurrent squamous cell carcinomas in the oral cavity.
OBJECTIVE
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.


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.
Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, CHS 62-132, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1624, USA. mpaiva@mednet.ucla.edu
Marcos B
MB
Paiva
Keith E
KE
Blackwell
Romaine E
RE
Saxton
Michael
M
Bublik
Carson D
CD
Liu
Ana Amélia P
AA
Paiva Paolini
Thomas C
TC
Calcaterra
Dan J
DJ
Castro
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data