Controlled hyperthermia and monitored protocol for basal cell carcinoma: interim report

Abstract

Heating has been known to cure cancer for over 2000 years1, and recent studies have confirmed this in the treatment of basal cell carcinomas (BCC)2. The application of uncontrolled heating often results in unacceptable scarring. Our ability to control the delivery of heat using a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera and a modulated long pulsed (LP) Nd:YAG 1064nm laser has resulted in better outcomes in comparison to traditional destruction techniques3. Use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) enhances our ability to define the tumor margins prior to treatment. The combination of FLIR and OCT allows very precise treatment of BCCs with at least comparable outcomes to conventional LP Nd:YAG treatments.