Endoscopic applications of laser energy.

Flexible fibers allow transmission of laser energy through endoscopes for treatment of urethral, bladder, and ureteral lesions. Nd:YAG laser destruction is probably the current treatment of choice for intraurethral condylomata acuminata, but results with urethral strictures are less encouraging. Although therapeutic advantages for laser treatment of superficial bladder tumors have not been established, the treatment appears to offer practical advantages over electrocautery resection. Laser treatment of invasive bladder cancer should not be considered an alternative to cystectomy, but may be useful in patients who are not candidates for radical surgery.