Long-term outcome of treatment of early carcinoma of the lip with Nd:YAG laser.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the Nd:YAG laser for treating stage I squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip. The retrospective study was performed in a tertiary care referral hospital in northern India.
Methods: In January 2007 the records of patients treated by Nd:YAG laser ablation of the lip between January 1997 and January 2000 were reviewed. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were included. The postoperative integrity of facial nerve, cosmetic and functional results, and disease (recurrence)-free survival (DFS) were assessed.
Results: Of the 46 patients included, 42 were disease-free at the end of the first year and 38 after 5 years. Six patients required repeat lasering for a residual or recurrent lesion. Two patients developed regional lymph node metastasis with no infield recurrence and underwent modified radical neck dissection. The 5-year DFS rate was 82.6%. Site of lip involvement (upper or lower), history of tobacco use, or grade of the tumor had no influence on DFS. Cosmetic results were excellent and without any significant complication.
Conclusion: Our results support the use of the Nd:YAG laser for treatment of stage I SCC of the lip with minimal morbidity and good DFS.