Abstract: Lasers are well established as the treatment of choicein certain types of cancer, particularly the use ofcarbon dioxide laser for eradication of early tumors ofthe cervix and for lesions of the upper airways. Morerecently, the high-power Nd:YAG laser has proven itselfof value for endoscopic palliation of advancedobstructing tumors of the gastrointestinal tract andmajor airways in patients who are unsuitable forsurgery. However, current techniques are onlyscratching the surface of the potential applications oflasers in medical and surgical practice, and thisarticle outlines two ways in which laser therapy forcancer may develop - low power interstitialhyperthermia and photodynamic therapy.!23
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