Powerful neodymium laser radiation for the treatment of facial carcinoma: 5 year follow-up data.

A retrospective non-comparative follow-up study was performed to evaluate the curative efficacy of powerful neodymium laser radiation (λ = 1,060 nm) for the treatment of 2,837 patients with 3,001 histologically confirmed facial skin carcinoma lesions of stages T1-2N0M0: 2,743 primary basal cell carcinomas (BCC), 172 recurrent limited basal cell carcinomas (RLBCC), and 86 primary squamous cells carcinomas (SCC). All patients were followed-up from 5 to 11 years (mean: 8.2 years; median: 7.0 years) after treatment. The overall recurrence rate (RR) after treatment with laser radiation of facial carcinomas was 2.5% of all irradiated tumours (mean: 13.4 months; median: 11.0 months). Patients with BCC treated by radiation with the pulsed Neodymium (Nd) laser developed RR in 2.2% of cases and patients treated with the Nd:YAG laser had RR of 3.1%. Recurrences following treatment for RLBCC, and those of SCC, after irradiation with the Nd laser appeared in 4.1% and 4.6% of patients, respectively. Neodymium laser radiation is a safe and effective means of treating facial carcinomas of stages T1-2N0M0 with good cosmetic results.

The efficacy of facial skin cancer treatment with high-energy pulsed neodymium and Nd:YAG lasers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the curative and cosmetic efficacy of treatment for facial skin cancer using neodymium laser irradiation. BACKGROUND DATA: Due to the complex anatomy of the area, therapy for facial skin cancer is difficult. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laser irradiation was used for the treatment of 3461 patients with 3624 facial skin cancer lesions of stages T(1-2)N(0)M(0:) 3346 basal cell skin cancers, 188 limited basal cell skin cancer recurrences, and 90 squamous cell skin cancers. Pulsed neodymium (Nd) and Nd:YAG lasers were used as the energy sources. The patients were followed-up from 3 mo to 5 y or more. RESULTS: Patients with basal cell skin cancer treated by irradiation with the Nd laser developed recurrences in 1.8% of cases, and patients treated with the Nd:YAG laser had a recurrence rate of 2.5%. Recurrences following treatment for basal cell skin cancer, and those of squamous cell skin cancer, after irradiation with the Nd laser appeared in 3.7% and 4.4% of patients, respectively. Overall, the frequency of facial skin cancer recurrences after treatment with laser irradiation was 2.1% of all the irradiated tumors. CONCLUSION: Neodymium laser irradiation is an effective method to treat facial skin cancer of stages T(1-2)N(0)M(0), and results in acceptable cosmetic results.