[Use of laser for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer]

Med Clin (Barc). 2014 Aug 19;143(4):170-5. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2013.09.017. Epub 2013 Nov 9.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

One of the complications of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is oral mucositis. Since the low energy laser is one of the most frequently recommended interventions by authors and international societies, the aim of this study is to review the scientific evidence on the use of lasers as a preventive and therapeutic in oral mucositis associated with treatment of cancer. We performed a literature search in PubMed and The Cochrane Collaboration Library, limiting the search to the last 20 years. We finally included 29 articles that contained 30 studies. Low energy laser phototherapy seems a promising intervention in both the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis associated with cancer treatment. Virtually all studies reviewed showed good results with no adverse effects and reductions in both incidence and severity of mucositis in all types of cancer treatments.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Low-energy laser; Láser de baja energía; Mucositis; Quimioterapia; Radioterapia; Radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chemoradiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Cranial Irradiation / adverse effects*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / complications*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Low-Level Light Therapy* / methods
  • Low-Level Light Therapy* / statistics & numerical data
  • Prospective Studies
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Stomatitis / etiology
  • Stomatitis / prevention & control*
  • Stomatitis / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents