Tissue effects in the bladder wall after contact Nd: YAG laser irradiation for bladder tumors

Abstract

A total of 17 patients underwent total cystectomy at 1–8 weeks following transurethral contact Nd: YAG laser destruction of bladder tumors (TULD) between February 1984 and December 1990. The laser-irradiated areas were studied pathologically. Five principal results were obtained. First, the irradiated areas were sharply bound from the nonirradiated area and featured ulceration and granulation associated with intensive edema. Second, fibroblast cells and fibrous cells appeared and new vascular growth was manifest; by approx. week 8 postirradiation, carbonized foreign bodies had been incorporated into the granulation and giant cells could be seen ingesting the foreign bodies. Third, neither perforation nor thermal damage to the intestine occurred. Fourth, the irradiated beds were suspected of harboring residual cancer cells in cases at stage T3. Finally, contact irradiation did not result in the transplantation of cancer cells.