Laser treatment of urologic cancers

In urologic surgery, laser energy has been used to treat various cancers of the genitourinary system. Excellent functional and cosmetic results have been obtained with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. In selected patients, the need for partial penectomy may be avoided. Demonstrated practical advantages and decreased patient morbidity form the basis for laser treatment of superficial bladder cancer. Therapeutic advantages over electrocautery resection are theoretical. Nd:YAG laser treatment can provide reasonable local control rates for tumors that invade the bladder muscle, but this treatment should be reserved for patients who are poor candidates for radical surgery. For kidney cancer, lasers may facilitate tumor removal in solitary kidneys and extend the margin of resection.