On a mathematical model for laser-induced thermotherapy

We study a mathematical model for laser-induced thermotherapy, a minimally invasive cancer treatment. The model consists of a diffusion approximation of the radiation transport equation coupled to a bio-heat equation and a model to describe the evolution of the coagulated zone. Special emphasis is laid on a refined model of the applicator device, accounting for the effect of coolant flow inside. Comparisons between experiment and simulations show that the model is able to predict the experimentally achieved temperatures reasonably well.