Transurethral laser irradiation of urinary bladder tumors.

After preliminary animal experiments, endoscopic Neodym-YAG laser irradiation of bladder tumors was performed successfully for the first time. Although no final statement can be made so far on the value of laser irradiation in bladder tumors because of the small number of cases, we believe that laser coagulation will attain a secure place in the transurethral treatment spectrum. A combination of transurethral resection and irradiation of the tumor bed for destruction of intramural tumor cell nests appears especially useful. Laser therapy cannot replace transurethral resection, but it can complement it.