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[Cancer treatment using a new laser apparatus]
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy
|April 1, 1986
Summary
A novel ceramic-tipped contact Nd:YAG laser offers precise, low-power localized hyperthermia for head and neck cancers. This innovative laser therapy shows promise in reducing tumor size and achieving complete remission in a tongue cancer patient.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Laser Medicine
Background:
- Cancer treatment has evolved with laser technology since the 1980s, incorporating CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers.
- Conventional lasers present challenges in application, particularly in irregular anatomical regions like the head and neck.
- There is a need for precise, localized therapeutic modalities for head and neck cancers.
Observation:
- A new ceramic tip for contact Nd:YAG laser therapy allows for noncontact or contact application at low power (<10 W).
- This localized laser hyperthermia technique was tested on human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma xenografts in nude mice.
- Tumor size reduction was observed in 2 out of 5 nude mice within two weeks of hyperthermia treatment.
Findings:
- The ceramic-tipped Nd:YAG laser was investigated for localized hyperthermia in head and neck cancer.
- In a patient with tongue cancer, hyperthermia was combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
- Histological examination of the excised tumor specimen after treatment revealed no evidence of cancer cells, indicating complete remission.
Implications:
- This localized laser hyperthermia technique demonstrates potential as an effective treatment for head and neck cancers.
- The ceramic-tipped laser offers a precise and adaptable tool for oncological applications, especially in challenging anatomical sites.
- Further research and clinical trials are warranted to explore the full potential of this technology in cancer therapy.