title: Long-term outcome of treatment of early carcinoma of the lip with Nd:YAG laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the Nd:YAG laser for treating stage I squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip. The retrospective study was performed in a tertiary care referral hospital in northern India.
  
  
  METHODS
  In January 2007 the records of patients treated by Nd:YAG laser ablation of the lip between January 1997 and January 2000 were reviewed. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were included. The postoperative integrity of facial nerve, cosmetic and functional results, and disease (recurrence)-free survival (DFS) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 46 patients included, 42 were disease-free at the end of the first year and 38 after 5 years. Six patients required repeat lasering for a residual or recurrent lesion. Two patients developed regional lymph node metastasis with no infield recurrence and underwent modified radical neck dissection. The 5-year DFS rate was 82.6%. Site of lip involvement (upper or lower), history of tobacco use, or grade of the tumor had no influence on DFS. Cosmetic results were excellent and without any significant complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support the use of the Nd:YAG laser for treatment of stage I SCC of the lip with minimal morbidity and good DFS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, 7 SKG Colony, Lanka, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India. mallika_vns@satyam.net.in
authors.forename: Mallika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tewari
authors.forename: Pramod
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Hari S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Shukla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome