Laser System Shows Potential for Treating Kidney Tumors

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 22 -- Recent animal trials conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation have found success in treating kidney masses or tumors with a GreenLight PV laser system developed by Laserscope, a maker of medical lasers and advanced fiber-optic delivery devices. The findings were reported in the September 2005 issue of The Journal of Urology.

Based on the trial study, Cleveland Clinic researchers concluded that the hemostatic, or blood clotting, properties specific to the GreenLight laser show a "real potential for clinical application." The study demonstrated that the laser is feasible, in most cases, for the resection and vaporization of kidney tissue without having to interrupt blood supply to the kidney, limiting the risk of organ damage. Blood loss during the laser treatment was found to be minimal and all study animals survived the one-month follow-up without complications.

Dr. Inderbir S. Gill, head of laparoscopic and robotic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and senior author of the study, said, "The potential advantages of this new technique include optimization of renal function preservation, the complete eradication of cancer while eliminating the need for skill intensive suturing, thereby allowing a broader group of urologic surgeons to adopt laparoscopic partial nephrectomy."

"With more than 35,000 new cases of kidney tumors being diagnosed each year in the United States, we believe this is an important finding," said Eric Reuter, president and CEO of Laserscope.

For more information, visit: www.laserscope.com