title: Evaluation of low-level laser therapy in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced mucositis: a double-blind randomized study in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the effect of the low-level laser in the prevention and treatment of mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. A total of 70 patients with malignant neoplasms in the oral cavity or oropharynx were evaluated. The patients were randomized into two low-level laser therapy groups: Group 1 (660nm/15mW/3.8J/cm(2)/spot size 4mm(2)) or Group 2 (660nm/5mW/1.3J/cm(2)/spot size 4mm(2)) starting on the first day of radiotherapy. Oral mucositis was assessed daily and weekly using the NCI and WHO scales. Oral pain was scored daily with a visual analogue scale before laser application. The patients in Group 1 had a mean time of 13.5days (range 6-26days) to present mucositis grade II, while the patients in Group 2 had a mean time of 9.8days (range 4-14days) (both WHO and NCI p=0.005). In addition, Group 2 also presented a higher mucositis grade than Group 1 with significant differences found in weeks 2 (p=0.019), 3 (p=0.005) and 4 (p=0.003) for WHO scale and weeks 2 (p=0.009) and 4 (p=0.013) for NCI scale. The patients in Group 1 reported lower pain levels (p=0.004). Low-level laser therapy during radiotherapy was found to be effective in controlling the intensity of mucositis and pain.
authors.affiliation: Stomatology Department - Hospital A.C. Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: P A G
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Jaguar
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pellizzon
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Alves
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D052016:Mucositis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult