What are the Laser Treatments for Skin Cancers?
Is a Non-Surgical Solution Possible?


Laser technology has been used in the field of dermatology since the 1960s and is gaining a wider range of treatments every year. Lasers, which are widely used in areas such as pigmented lesions, vascular problems, epilation, and skin rejuvenation, now also provide successful results in the treatment of cutaneous (skin) cancers.

Can Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Be Treated with Laser?
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer and occurs especially in sun-exposed areas such as the face, nose, and forehead. Laser treatment attracts attention as an alternative or supportive method to surgery.

High Success Rate with Nd:YAG Laser
Nd:YAG laser, which operates at a wavelength of 1064 nm, destroys tumor tissue by creating heat that targets cancer cells. In studies conducted:

97% of patients have achieved complete recovery.

The recurrence rate has remained below 2% in 3-5 year follow-ups.

The complication rate is quite low.

Combination of Er:YAG and Photodynamic Therapy
Er:YAG laser works more superficially and creates minimal heat damage. When combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT), the success rate increases to 98%. It has been shown that Er:YAG laser alone is more comfortable for patients, but side effects are reduced in the combined treatment.

Superficial BCC Treatment with PDL (Pulse Dye Laser)
PDL with a wavelength of 595 nm targets the vascular structure of the tumor. Although the complete response rate has reached 75% in some studies, it has been stated that it may not be sufficient as a primary treatment alone unless a standard protocol is established.

CO₂ Laser: Success Close to Surgery
CO₂ laser creates a vaporizing (ablative) effect on the tissue. Especially in superficial and nodular BCC, over 95% success has been achieved. This method, which is reported to be applied safely even around the eyes, has not caused any significant side effects other than eyelash loss even in periorbital lesions.

Combined CO₂ laser + PDT applications are also used successfully; this combination is especially recommended for patients who do not prefer surgery or are not suitable for surgery.

Can Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Be Treated with Laser?
SCC is generally a more aggressive type of skin cancer than BCC. Laser applications are promising especially in early-stage SCC and patients who are not suitable for surgery.

Effective Results in Lip and Oral Lesions with Nd:YAG Laser
In studies conducted with Nd:YAG laser in patients with Stage 1 SCC:

The recurrence rate is below 17% at the end of 5 years.

Permanent healing of up to 97% has been reported in premalignant lesions.

It is especially preferred in areas that are difficult to perform surgery such as the lip and inside the mouth.

CO₂ Laser: Effective in Superficial Lesions
In treatments that utilize the ablation effect of the CO₂ laser, at least 3 sessions are recommended and it is recommended to clean an area of ​​approximately 4 mm from the surrounding tissue. A high success rate is achieved with this protocol.

Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Excimer Laser Treatment
Mycosis fungoides is a skin disease in the lymphoma group. Especially in early-stage MF cases, the use of the Excimer laser, which operates at a wavelength of 308 nm, provides successful results:

86% complete recovery was achieved in patch and plaque type lesions.

Nodular lesions may be resistant to treatment.

Long-term remission can be achieved with 10-week, 20-session applications.

Excimer laser treatments combined with PUVA also show promising results in the literature.

What are the Advantages of Laser Treatment?
Ideal for patients who are not suitable for surgery

Less pain, less scarring

Outpatient, bloodless procedure

Fast recovery process

Cosmetically satisfactory results

However, the appropriate laser type and parameters are different for each patient. Therefore, laser treatment should be planned specifically for the individual, and the tumor type, stage and location should be taken into account.

In conclusion, although laser applications have not yet completely replaced surgery in skin cancers, they provide successful, comfortable and cosmetically satisfactory results with the right patient and the right method selection. Laser treatment offers an important alternative, especially in early-stage lesions or in patients who are unable to undergo surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer or have a suspicious lesion, you can contact Dermatologist Doctor Fatma Yıldız at Ankara Life Polyclinic to evaluate treatment options in detail.