Light Therapy May Prevent Oral Mucositis for Some in Cancer Tx

Photobiomodulation (PBM), such as laser and other light therapies, is recommended for prevention of oral mucositis (OM) in specific populations of cancer patients, according to a review published online in Supportive Care in Cancer.

Yehuda Zadik, D.M.D., from the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine in Tel-Hashomer, Israel, and colleagues conducted a systematic review of the literature to update evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for use of PBM for the prevention and/or treatment of OM.

For cancer patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, head and neck radiotherapy without chemotherapy, and head and neck radiotherapy with chemotherapy, the authors recommend PBM therapy for the prevention of OM and related pain. One to two clinically effective protocols are recommended for each of these treatment modalities; clinicians should adhere to all parameters of the selected protocol. Due to inadequate evidence, it is not possible to establish a guideline for the treatment of established OM or management of chemotherapy-related OM.

"Even with the best evidence-based interventions, we don't yet have an ultimate guideline for mucositis in all clinical settings," a coauthor said in a statement. "We look forward to future research to help shape a more universal implementation of photobiomodulation therapy as well as identify additional effective and validated protocols."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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