Laser treatment of skin cancer: dissection, photodestruction, and photodynamic therapy

The analysis of the results of three laser methods of skin cancer treatment in 1535 patients has been made. In 112 patients laser dissection (LD), in 1341 patients laser photodestruction (LPD) and in 82 patients photodynamic therapy (PDT) was performed. LPD was performed in patients with tumors 1.0 to 1.5 cm and with superficial tumors of body and extremities up to 5.0 cm diameter. LAser wounds healed under the crust. Tumor recurrence in 2.5 to 8 months was found out in 22 patients. LD was performed in patients with primary skin tumors 1.0 to 5.0 cm in diameter. The laser wound was sutured or enclosed with the transported skin flap. Tumor recurrence was found out in 3 patients. PDT was performed in patients with multiple, large, recurrent, residual tumors and in cases of 'inconvenient' localizations of tumors on the face. The treatment had effect in 100 percent of tumors. Our experience in use of different laser techniques for skin cancer treatment shows that each of these methods has its own indications and application areas. They are not competitive with each other. These techniques widen the abilities of modern oncology in skin cancer treatment.