Palliative Therapy of Cervical Metastases UsingLaser-induced Hyperthermia

Overview

The authors evaluated in the presented work the possible application of interstitiallaser hyperthermia in palliation of metastases of head and neck tumours into the cervicallymph nodes. They used the variant of this therapy with application of a diode – 980nm laserfibre through an injection needle without imaging technique. Based on the assembled clinicalexperience they reached the following conclusions:a) interstitial laser hyperthermia is probably a very safe alternative therapeutic method whichensures significant diminution of the tumour mass in the area of the cervical nodes,b) with regard to the minimal burdening of the patient this procedure can be implemented inthe out-patient department with local anaesthesia even in some medically compromisedsubjects,c) interstitial laser hyperthermia is safe in the area of cervical nodes even if not controlled byimaging technique,d) the procedure requires below average variable costs.

Key words:
interstitial laser hyperthermia – metastases into the cervical lymph nodes –diode laser