Laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) for retreatment of locally advanced recurrences of breast cancer

The effect of laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) as a palliative method for treatment of patients with local recurrence of breast cancer is investigat ed. This report describes the use of interstitial laser photocoagulation to manage such lesions. The interstitial laser applications were performed in seven women with locally recurrent breast carcinoma on the chest wall afte r mastectomy. All patients had been heavily pretreated with conventional mo des of therapy (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, surgical rese ction). A Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm was used to heat the le sions. Pleat expansion was controlled digitally and monitored by ultrasonog raphy and colour-coded duplex sonography (CCDS). In five women this minimal ly invasive method enabled the precise coagulation of the subcutaneous tumo ur without destruction of the skin or ulceration, although these areas had been pretreated by irradiation up to 60 Gy. In two patients with extensive multiple metastases and with skin infiltration, secondary skin ulceration a nd delayed healing was observed. For palliative reasons, LITT under CCDS gu ide can aid in local control of chest wall recurrence following mastectomy in selected patients.