Endre Mester
Encyclopedia
Hungarian physician Endre Mester (1903–1984) was a pioneer of laser medicine
, including the use of low level laser therapy
(LLLT). In 1967, only a few years after the first working laser was invented, he started his experiments with the effects of lasers on skin cancer. He is credited as the discoverer of positive biological effects of low power lasers.
, Hungary
. He studied medicine at University of Pécs
, Hungary until 1927. He then taught surgery at the Pazmany Peter University in Budapest, while working with Dr. Lajos Adam. He was certified both in surgery
and in radiology
.
.
Mester chaired the Surgery Department of the Bajcsy Zsilinszky Teaching Hospital in Budapest from 1947 until 1963. He publicly welcomed the 1956 Hungarian uprising against Communism yet, when it failed, he was not persecuted because of his important medical work.
In 1963, he became Professor and Department Chair at the Semmelweis Medical University
in Budapest, and worked there until his retirement in 1973. In 1971, he received the "Doctor of Sciences" title from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Mester's publications on the biostimulatory effects of the low intensity laser started in 1967. He performed early science experiments on the biological effects of laser irradiation. While applying lasers to the backs of shaven mice, Mester noticed that the shaved hair grew back more quickly on the treated group than the untreated group. Mester is believed to be only the fourth physician publishing in the area of laser medicine and surgery.
In 1971, he began treating patients with non-healing skin ulcers, while using Low Intensity Laser Irradiation.
Mester is the author of over 100 published articles in his areas of research. His two sons, Adam Mester, M.D. a radiologist, and Andrew Mester, M.D., an otolaryngologist, later assisted him in his work.
Laser medicine
Laser medicine is the use of various types of lasers in medical diagnosis, treatment, or therapy. Types of lasers used in medicine include in principle any laser design, especially:* CO2 lasers* diode lasers* dye lasers* excimer lasers* fiber lasers...
, including the use of low level laser therapy
Low level laser therapy
Low-level laser therapy is a medical and veterinary treatment that uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes to alter cellular function...
(LLLT). In 1967, only a few years after the first working laser was invented, he started his experiments with the effects of lasers on skin cancer. He is credited as the discoverer of positive biological effects of low power lasers.
Early life
Endre Mester was born on November 20, 1903 in BudapestBudapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. He studied medicine at University of Pécs
University of Pécs
The University of Pécs is the Hungarian university with the largest number of students and faculties.-History:...
, Hungary until 1927. He then taught surgery at the Pazmany Peter University in Budapest, while working with Dr. Lajos Adam. He was certified both in surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
and in radiology
Radiology
Radiology is a medical specialty that employs the use of imaging to both diagnose and treat disease visualized within the human body. Radiologists use an array of imaging technologies to diagnose or treat diseases...
.
Later career
During World War II, Mester worked as a surgeon at Saint John’s Hospital and in the "Rock Hospital", located in the tunnels underneath Castle Hill in BudapestBuda Castle
Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest, first completed in 1265. In the past, it was also called Royal Palace and Royal Castle ....
.
Mester chaired the Surgery Department of the Bajcsy Zsilinszky Teaching Hospital in Budapest from 1947 until 1963. He publicly welcomed the 1956 Hungarian uprising against Communism yet, when it failed, he was not persecuted because of his important medical work.
In 1963, he became Professor and Department Chair at the Semmelweis Medical University
Semmelweis University
Founded in 1769, Semmelweis University is the oldest medical school in Hungary. The faculty became an independent medical school after the Second World War and developed into a university teaching medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health sciences, health management as well as physical education and...
in Budapest, and worked there until his retirement in 1973. In 1971, he received the "Doctor of Sciences" title from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Laser research
Mester started his laser research in 1965. In 1974 he founded the Laser Research Center at Semmelweis, and continued working there for the remainder of his life. He is credited with the discovery of the biological effects of low power lasers.Mester's publications on the biostimulatory effects of the low intensity laser started in 1967. He performed early science experiments on the biological effects of laser irradiation. While applying lasers to the backs of shaven mice, Mester noticed that the shaved hair grew back more quickly on the treated group than the untreated group. Mester is believed to be only the fourth physician publishing in the area of laser medicine and surgery.
In 1971, he began treating patients with non-healing skin ulcers, while using Low Intensity Laser Irradiation.
Mester is the author of over 100 published articles in his areas of research. His two sons, Adam Mester, M.D. a radiologist, and Andrew Mester, M.D., an otolaryngologist, later assisted him in his work.
Prominent positions
- President of the Hungarian Society of Surgeons (for 8 years)
- President of the International Soft Laser Society
- Vice President of the Red Cross Committee of Budapest