Lasers in urology. II. Laser therapy.

To date four laser wavelengths are commercially available which have urologic applications. The experience with all of these lasers is reviewed. The major urologic lesions treatable by the laser are: condylomata acuminata, superficial penile carcinoma, and bladder carcinoma. The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is most applicable for external genital lesions while the Nd:YAG laser is better suited for the endoscopic treatment of bladder tumors. Due to its preferential absorption by hemoglobin, the argon laser is useful in treating vascular lesions. The tunable dye laser with hematoporphyrin-derivative therapy has exciting potential, but is too new to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy.