Abstract

NETO, Antonio Eugenio Magnabosco  and  WESTPHALEN, Fernando Henrique. Prophylactic and therapeutic effectiveness of low level laser on oral mucositis in patients undergoing cancer treatment. RFO UPF [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.2, pp. 246-253. ISSN 1413-4012.

ABSTRACT Objective: the purpose of this review is to present the different randomized clinical protocols using low level laser in the management of oral mucositis, in the last eighteen years of study. Literature review: oral mucositis remains a major problem to be solved in clinical oncology. This cytotoxic effect limits food intake by mouth due to the pain and discomfort in chewing and/or swallowing. Nutritional status may be aggravated contributing to increased morbidity and hospital stay, and providing negative impact on the quality of life of cancer patients, and on their treatment. Disturbances in the integrity and function of the oral cavity are due to the fact that radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not able to destroy tumor cells without damaging normal cells. Numerous treatments are described in literature and there are several methodologies for the treatment of oral mucositis, yet there is no consensus on the best strategy for prevention and therapy. Final considerations: several studies have shown good results with the use of low level laser, which main indications include anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and inducing tissue repair. However, there is no definition of a single protocol for this promising resource so far to be applied in the therapy of this pathology.

Keywords : Laser therapy.; Low level.; Oral mucositis.; Chemotherapy.; Radiotherapy..