New Laser Cancer Treatment

Lasers are focused, high-intensity lights used to treat cancers, especially cancers in or near the skin. Recently, doctors have coupled lasers with nanotechnology, and new laser cancer treatments have become a hot field in medical research.

History

• A major breakthrough in new laser cancer treatments came in 2005. That year, a Stanford University research team showed how carbon nanotubes and lasers could treat cancer effectively.

Significance

• Traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, damage healthy cells in your body, which often causes debilitating side effects. In contrast, new laser cancer treatments shrink or eliminate cancerous tumors while minimizing damage to healthy cells.

Function

• New laser cancer treatment, as described by the Stanford University team, works like this: Doctors release nanotubes into your body and let them stick to cancer cells. Afterward, they shine a laser over the treatment area, which heats up the nanotubes and cooks away the cancer.

Benefits

• Compared to traditional procedures, new laser cancer treatments cause fewer side effects and, consequently, allow you to heal faster.

Considerations

• New laser cancer treatments, which are still experimental, can be pricey and require a doctor with specialized training. A doctor with such training might not live in your area, so ask your current medical provider about the treatments available to you.