Abstract

Early in the development of laser medicine and laser surgery, endogenous chromophores in mammalian tissue established the great value of the color selective action of lasers in the visible light range. From these models, there developed laser treatments of incurable birthmarks, cancer surgery, surgery of the heart and blood vessels, and even the treatment of tattoos. With the subsequent development of photodynamic therapy, a successful cancer treatment program was established. This was based on the localization and induced fluorescence of cancer tissue by derivatives of the chromophore and hematoporphyrin. The concept of laser thermophotolysis of Anderson and Parriash and the development of the technology of exogenous chromophores expanded the applications of lasers not only to cancer tissue but to potential uses for toxins, antigens, antibodies, etc. through conjugation and subsequent destruction of the combination by lasers with selective wavelengths. The uses then of selective localization and types of exogenous chromophore are limitless for laser applications for mammalian tissues.

© 1988 Optical Society of America