Holmium:YAG Laser Treatment of Recurrent Superficial Bladder Carcinoma - Initial Experience
Syed H, Biyani C, Brough S, Powell C

To evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of the holmium laser in patients with recurrent superficial bladder cancer. Holmium:YAG laser therapy is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment for patients with recurrent superficial bladder tumours. This study describes our experience of treating 41 patients with 71 recurrent superficial transitional cell tumours of the bladder, using the Holmium:YAG laser. The mean follow-up is 14 months (3-33 months). There were 13 (18%) recurrent tumours in the treated area and 38 (53%) recurrences in the untreated areas. Of interest, a subgroup of 10 patients were treated with cystodiathermy as well as Holmium:YAG laser at various times during their follow-up. Local recurrence with cystodiathermy was 31.5% compared to 9.5% after laser treatment. A questionnaire study of 33 patients showed complete satisfaction with the treatment. Only 2 (5%) elected to have a further procedure under general anaesthesia. 83% scored pain as 2 or less out of 10 on the visual analogue scale. The lack of complication, high patient satisfaction, ability to be used in the outpatient setting and decreased cost make Holmium:YAG laser an attractive alternative in the treatment of recurrent superficial cancer of the bladder.

Journal of Endourology, Vol. 13 Supplement 1, A102, Sep 1999

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