1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatment of basal cell carcinoma

Background and objective: Standard surgical and destructive treatments for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can result in significant morbidity and scarring, stimulating the investigation of alternative non-surgical options. The objective of this study was to determine the safety, clinical, and histological efficacy of pulsed, high-fluence 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser therapy for the treatment of BCC on the trunk and extremities.

Study design/materials and methods: This was a prospective, non-randomized, open-label clinical trial. Ten subjects with a biopsy-proven BCC less than 1.5 cm in diameter on the trunk or extremities received one treatment with a 10 milliseconds pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. Standard excision was performed 1 month after laser treatment to confirm histologic clearance.

Results: The laser treatment was quick and well tolerated. There was complete histologic clearance after one treatment in 92% of the BCC tumors, overall. At higher fluences, there was 100% histologic clearance after one treatment. No significant adverse events were seen, including scarring.

Conclusions: The 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser may offer a safe alternative for treating BCC off the face. A larger study is highly warranted to confirm these preliminary results. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:106-110, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.