What is 'laser therapy'?

What is 'laser therapy'?

Jay M. Lee (Surgical Director, Thoracic Oncology Program, UCLA) gives expert video advice on: What are other local treatments if I do not want surgery or can't have surgery?; How does chemotherapy cure lung cancer?; How does radiation cure lung cancer? and more...

Laser therapy involves utilizing the laser light to kill off cancer cells. In lung cancer, it's being utilized for palliative treatments. For instance, endobronchial tumors, where the lung cancer grows in the airway itself can cause shortness of breath, and as a palliative treatment, we're able to use laser light to carve out the tumor in the airway. This will improve your quality of life and improve your breathing.