LASER

SCALPEL

Laser beam vaporizes tissue rather than cutting, while preserving the tumor and its margins for analysis. This results in little to no damage of normal cells minimizing pain to patient.

During lump removal, scalpel damages surrounding tissue, blood vessels, and lymphatics, thus creating more pain.

Laser decreases incidence of infection because of its sterilizing property.

Increased chance of infection due to damaged tissue.

Laser seals all blood vessels and lymphatics decreasing blood loss and post operative drainage.

Knife opens Lymphatics and blood vessels resulting in more bleeding, increased drainage.

In animal studies, the laser has shown to decrease recurrence.

Possible local spread of tumor cells.

LASER BIOPSY

NEEDLE BIOPSY

The laser biopsy removes the whole lump, therefore obtaining more tissue for more accurate pathological diagnosis. (98% accuracy)

In order to obtain appropriate and adequate tissue for analysis there has been a progressive increase in size of needle caliber from fine needle to large core stereotaxic to mammetone. Unfortunately, this still remains a high unacceptable rate of misdiagnosis of Cancer-(approximately 85% accuracy).

Laser excision, usually removes the whole lump eliminating the need for frequent x-rays and medical follow up.

Needle biopsies, core, etc. removes only part of the lump. This causes the patient to have frequent x-ray and medical follow up.

The laser seals blood vessels during the removal of entire tumor.

Needle biopsies may create bleeding and hematoma. There is usually post-operative pain and distortions of normal tissue.