The neodymium:YAG laser in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies

The Nd:YAG laser has been used for tumor volume reduction of recurrent gynecologic malignant tumors after previous radiation therapy. The localization of the tumor did not allow conventional surgical resection or surgery was contraindicated because of severe medical problems. Hemorrhage caused by recurrent tumor was controlled by tissue coagulation. The laser beam was delivered by means of a handpiece using the Model 8000 of the Molectron Medical Corporation. A power of 40 to 100 W was used with the maximal pulse duration of 9.9 sec and multiple pulse irradiation. The total energy ranged between 620 and 13.105 Ws. Good palliation was achieved in patients with hemorrhaging tumors of the cervix and ovary metastatic to the vagina.