Laser treatment uses a thin, narrow beam of light. This light helps remove or destroy unusual or cancerous cells. Doctors might use laser therapy on its own or with other treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.
Using Lasers For Surgery
During surgery, doctors can use lasers instead of scalpels.
These lasers can cut through body tissue very precisely. One advantage of lasers is that they can seal blood vessels as they cut, which reduces bleeding.
Laser therapy to destroy abnormal or cancerous cells
Doctors can use laser beams to burn away abnormal or cancerous cells.
This is called laser ablation. It can:
– destroy small areas of cells that might become cancerous
– shrink or remove cancer
– help with symptoms like bleeding or blockage
Combining laser with a light-sensitive drug (photodynamic therapy)
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a drug that makes cells sensitive to light and a type of light.
The drug is called a photosensitiser or photosensitising agent.
Who Can Have Laser Treatment?
Laser therapy is used to treat:
– abnormal cells that may turn into cancer (precancerous cells), including those on the cervix, vulva, or vagina
– abnormal skin cells on the penis, also known as penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN)
– basal cell skin cancer, combined with a light-sensitive drug (photodynamic therapy)
– some advanced cancers inside the body, such as in the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, or windpipe (trachea)
For very early cancers, the laser cuts or burns away the cancerous tissue. Also read Laser Clinic in Singapore for more detailed information.
For more advanced cancers, the laser can shrink or destroy tumours, which helps to relieve blockages in the body.
Where You Have Laser Treatment?
You have laser therapy in a hospital.
You usually go home the same day as your treatment.
You usually have laser therapy in the outpatient department to treat:
– abnormal skin cells on the penis
– abnormal cells on the cervix, vulva, or vagina
For other cancers, you might have treatment in the x-ray or endoscopy department.
Different Ways Of Having Laser Treatment
You can have laser treatment in different ways, depending on where the cancer or abnormal cells are in your body.
You might have laser treatment:
– directly on your skin to treat penile intraepithelial neoplasia
– using a speculum to look inside the vagina to treat abnormal cells on the cervix, vagina, or vulva
– through a flexible tube (a scope) to treat cancers inside your body, such as lung or stomach cancer
Your doctor or specialist nurse will explain how the treatment will be done and what to expect.