PURPOSE: To review our initial experience with the holmium laser in @entity1 with recurrent superficial @entity150 . @entity1 AND METHODS: We treated 41 @entity1 having 71 recurrent superficial transitional-cell @entity5 of the bladder between December 1994 and September 1997 using the holmium:YAG laser under local anesthesia. The laser treatment was carried out as a part of the follow-up flexible cystoscopy protocol, and topical anesthesia was used. The mean follow-up was 14 months (range 3-33 months). RESULTS: There were 13 recurrent @entity5 in the treated area and 38 recurrences in the untreated areas. Of interest, a subgroup of 10 @entity1 were treated before 1994 with cystodiathermy and later on with the holmium:YAG laser at various times during their follow-up. The local recurrence rate with cystodiathermy was 32% compared with 10% after laser treatment (P = 0.39). A questionnaire study of 33 @entity1 showed complete satisfaction with the treatment. Only 2 (6%) elected to have a further procedure under general anesthesia. In the series, 83% scored their @entity158 as 2 or less of 10 on a visual analog scale. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of complications, high @entity1 satisfaction, and ability to be used in the outpatient setting make the holmium:YAG laser an attractive alternative in the treatment of recurrent superficial @entity150 .

Holmium:YAG laser treatment of recurrent XXXX : initial clinical experience.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient', 'PATIENTS'] @entity150 :: ('MESH:D001749', 'Disease') :: ['cancer of the bladder', 'bladder cancer'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumors'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain']
@entity150 :: (MESH:D001749,Disease) :: ['superficial bladder carcinoma']
