In order to bring you the best possible user experience, this site uses Javascript. If you are seeing this message, it is likely that the Javascript option in your browser is disabled. For optimal viewing of this site, please ensure that Javascript is enabled for your browser.
 EMAIL TO FRIEND     |      PRINTER FRIENDLY     |    
          advertisement

Laser Cancer Therapy

Also called: Laser Treatment

- Summary
- About laser therapy
- Conditions treated
- Before and during
- After the procedure
- Potential benefits
- Ongoing research
- Questions for your doctor

Reviewed By:
Martin E. Liebling, M.D., FACP
Mark Oren, M.D., FACP

Summary

Laser therapy is a relatively new way to treat cancer that uses high-intensity light to destroy cancer cells. Laser therapy has been commonly used to treat benign conditions, such as in corrective eye procedures. However, it is now being used in certain cancer treatments. In some patients, laser therapy has been shown to cure their cancer. More often, it is used to relieve symptoms such as bleeding and obstruction when other therapies cannot be used or fail to work.

Ordinary light is made up of many different wavelengths that spread in all directions. In contrast, laser light has one specific wavelength focused in a narrow beam of high-intensity light. Lasers can focus precisely on tiny areas, enabling them to accurately target small areas of human tissue. Laser therapy is most often used to treat superficial cancers, which include those on the surface of the body or the lining of internal organs. Laser therapy use is limited because the area treated must be visualized during treatment. The most common cancers treated with laser therapy include:

  • Basal cell skin cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Penile cancer
  • Vaginal cancer
  • Vulvar cancer
  • Non-small cell lung cancer

Colorectal cancer affects the colon and rectum and is a leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.Other cancers treated with laser therapy include cancers of the:

  • Anus, colon or rectum
  • Bladder
  • Esophagus
  • Stomach
  • Trachea
  • Vocal cords

Currently, laser therapy is primarily used to relieve symptoms from the disease or its treatment (palliative therapy). Research continues to evaluate the effectiveness of laser therapy as means to cure various cancers. 

page 1 of 8 | Next Page




Review Date: 08-13-2008
Video
Being an Empowered Patient
Patient responsibility and what we need to do to make sure we become...
Cancer: How close to a cure?
Fortune's Clifton Leaf and Dr. Snyderman discuss the latest cancer...
Personalizing Cancer Treatment
GE and new technologies for treating cancer customized for you.
An Experimental Vaccine May Lengthen the Lives of Prostate Cancer Patients
Seattle-based Dendreon Corp. says its experimental Provenge cancer...
Yoga May Ease Breast Cancer Treatment
Yoga may help ease some of the turmoil of going through treatment for...
Uterine Race Disparity
Black women are 60 percent more likely to die from uterine cancer than white women.

Advice from Dr. Nancy Snyderman

Dr. Nancy Snyderman

Helpful tips and information on weight loss

Get answers from an expert
advertisement
advertisement

YourTotalHealth      

Home  |  Health Centers  |  Health A-Z  |  Staying Healthy  |  Diet & Fitness  |  Woman & Family  |  Pregnancy  |  Community  |  

also on iVillage: Pregnancy & Parenting  |  Beauty & Style  |  Home & Garden  |  Food  |  Weddings  |  Love  |  Entertainment  |  NeverSayDiet

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Site Map  |  Newsletters  |  Feedback

Copyright (c) 2000-2009 iVillage Inc. All rights reserved. The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.