[Treatment of skin tumors with a pulse laser]

The clinical laser complex including neodymium and CO2--lasers is described, and the methods of irradiation depending on the type of the laser and tumor are given. The results of the treatment in 559 patients with different malignant and benign skin tumors are analysed. The data of the follow-up (up to 7 years) indicated that 15 of 48 patients with primary melanomas developed metastases, and 12 of them died. Among 105 patients with skin cancers 4 persons had recurrences and were irradiated repeatedly. The main merits of the method compared with surgery and X-ray therapy (the absence of side effects, promptness of the treatment, sterility and precise localization of the effect, vascular thrombosis contributing to an ablastic operation) are discussed. The results obtained with neodymium and CO2--lasers are compared.