Use of the holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser for treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma.

This is the first North American report describing the use of the holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser to treat patients with superficial bladder carcinoma. Fifteen patients, with a total of 52 recurrent superficial bladder tumors, underwent endoscopic laser photoablation of their lesions. No intraoperative or delayed complications occurred. At follow-up cystoscopy performed 3 months after lasing, four patients (27%) were without disease; eight patients (53%) had out-of-field recurrences; and three patients (20%) were classified as having in-field recurrences. We conclude that using the Ho:YAG for endoscopic treatment of patients with superficial bladder tumors is both feasible and clinically useful and that the lack of perceived pain or discomfort during lasing, as well as the lack of need for an in-dwelling urethral catheter, makes it advantageous for selected patients over conventional electroresection techniques.