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Rezaei F, Savaedi N, Kabiri S, Akhavan H. Photothermal Treatment of Skin Cancer Using COMSOL Simulation with the Help of Nanoparticle Injection. ASWTR 2025; 22 (3) :18-28
URL: http://icml.ir/article-1-676-en.html

Introduction: In this study, the photothermal therapy method for treating cancerous skin tissue using laser irradiation is investigated. In this therapeutic approach, gold nanoparticles are cumulatively injected into the tumor tissue. Photothermal therapy incorporating gold nanoparticles is simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics. The effects of pulsed and continuous laser irradiation are evaluated both in the presence and absence of nanoparticles. To minimize the reduction of photon flux during the transmission of visible light through tissue to the tumor, and to enhance penetration depth, a near-infrared diode laser wavelength is employed.
Methods: In this research, simulations were performed under two conditions: with and without gold nanoparticles. The outcomes were analyzed using two types of laser irradiation—pulsed and continuous—employed as heat sources in photothermal therapy. Among the obtained results, the most effective therapeutic approach was identified as the one that caused the least damage to the surrounding healthy tissue while inducing the greatest destruction in the malignant tissue.
Results: The simulations indicated that adding gold nanoparticles noticeably improved the effectiveness of photothermal therapy by directing heat toward the tumor. Without the nanoparticles, both pulsed and continuous lasers produced only minor necrosis of cancer cells. When nanoparticles were present, pulsed laser irradiation led to a more controlled rise in tumor temperature, causing less harm to the nearby healthy tissue. In contrast, continuous laser exposure resulted in considerable damage to the surrounding healthy region.
Conclusions: Based on the simulations, the best approach for photothermal treatment of skin cancer appears to be using gold nanoparticles together with pulsed laser irradiation. This combination effectively destroyed the tumor while keeping damage to the surrounding healthy tissue to a minimum. While continuous laser could also kill tumor cells, it caused much more harm to the nearby healthy tissue.