Low-level laser therapy in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in young patients.
OBJECTIVE
A pilot clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy (CT)-induced oral mucositis (OM) in young patients.


BACKGROUND
Besides compromising the patient's nutrition and well-being, oral mucositis represents a portal of entry into the body for microorganisms present in the mouth, which may lead to sepsis if there is hematological involvement. Oncologic treatment tolerance decreases and systemic complications may arise that interfere with the success of cancer treatment. LLLT appears to be an interesting alternative to other approaches to treating OM, due to its trophic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.


METHODS
Patients undergoing chemotherapy (22 cycles) without mucositis were randomized into a group receiving prophylactic laser-irradiation (group 1), and a group receiving placebo light treatment (group 2). Patients who had already presented with mucositis were placed in a group receiving irradiation for therapeutic purposes (group 3, with 10 cycles of CT). Serum granulocyte levels were taken and compared to the progression of mucositis.


RESULTS
In group 1, most patients (73%) presented with mucositis of grade 0 (p = 0.03 when compared with the placebo group), and 18% presented with grade 1. In group 2, 27% had no OM and did not require therapy. In group 3, the patients had marked pain relief (as assessed by a visual analogue scale), and a decrease in the severity of OM, even when they had severe granulocytopenia.


CONCLUSIONS
The ease of use of LLLT, high patient acceptance, and the positive results achieved, make this therapy feasible for the prevention and treatment of OM in young patients.
Abramoff
Meire Maman Fracher
MM
Private Practice, São Paulo, Brazil. meireabramoff@uol.com.br
Lopes
Nilza Nelly Fontana
NN
Lopes
Luciana Almeida
LA
Dib
Luciano Lauria
LL
Guilherme
Arnaldo
A
Caran
Eliana Monteiro
EM
Barreto
Adriana Delboni
AD
Lee
Maria Lucia Martinho
ML
Petrilli
Antônio Sérgio
AS