1 Answers
Lasers are used to treat cancer in several different ways. Their high-intensity light can be used to shrink or destroy tumors or precancerous growths. Lasers are most commonly used to treat superficial cancers such as basal-cell skin cancer and the very early stages of some cancers, such as cervical, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and non-small cell lung cancer.
Ordinary light consists of many wavelengths and spreads in all directions. Laser light, on the other hand, has a specific wavelength and can be collimated to produce a narrow beam with very high intensity. Because lasers can focus very accurately on tiny areas, they can be used for very precise surgical work or for cutting through tissue. Three types of lasers are used to treat cancer: carbon dioxide lasers, argon lasers, and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers.