The Efficacy of Facial Skin Cancer Treatment with High-Energy Pulsed Neodymium and Nd:YAG Lasers

Abstract

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_1–2N₀M_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_1–2N₀M₀, and results in acceptable cosmetic results.