Using Lasers in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery

Few technologic advances in medicine have captured the imagination of the general public, and physicians, to the extent that the laser has. The laser clearly evokes images of space-age technology, and is frequently regarded as a panacea by patients. The reality is, of course, that the laser has no inherent special ability to cure diseases, and is simply another tool available to contemporary surgeons. We will review the current application of lasers in head and neck oncologic surgery. The basic mechanism of lasers will be discussed, with emphasis on the carbon dioxide (C02) laser. This discussion will include analysis of photodynamic therapy for cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract, which is rapidly evolving as a means of incorporating lasers in the treatment of head and neck cancer.