[Selective action of argon laser radiation in breast cancer]

The attempts were made to apply the argon laser radiation (the green region of light spectrum) for the treatment of breast carcinoma. The 46 post-operative skin metastases of breast carcinoma in 15 women were irradiated with no photosensitizers used. As a result of the treatment (4 to 50 sessions) the complete resolution of metastatic tumours was achieved in 13 patients. In contrast to the methods of laser coagulation treatment of tumours, used till now, the described approach provides for selective elimination of tumour cells without normal tissue alteration. The involvement of photothermic or photochemical mechanisms in this selective effect is discussed.