title: Lasers in the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) constitute the largest proportion of cancers worldwide, especially in the Western population, making it essential to develop methods to manage these cancers. Ultraviolet (UV) light being the most significant culprit in the development of NMSCs makes the sun-exposed parts of the body, such as face and extremities, the most vulnerable to develop these tumors. Early diagnosis and emphasis on cosmesis are vital while treating them especially, in patients with multiple squamous and basal cell carcinomas. Lasers seem to be a useful therapeutic modality and are being explored to develop them as a tool for treating skin cancers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the use of lasers in the treatment of NMSCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed articles that involved the use of lasers in the management of NMSCs and prepared a critical analysis of the same.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lasers as a single modality, as the coherent light source in photodynamic therapy (PDT), or as an adjunct to PDT or other treatment modalities are a potential method of NMSC eradication. Superficial NMSCs and most precancerous cutaneous lesions such as Bowen's disease and actinic keratoses respond best, whereas deeper, more-aggressive NMSCs show poor outcomes with laser treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA. drsonalchoudhary@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sonal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choudhary
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Mohamed L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Elsaie
authors.forename: Keyvan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nouri
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*