Abstract

SILVA JUNIOR, Francisco Lopes da; GORDON-NUNEZ, Manuel Antonio; GALVAO, Hébel Cavalcanti  and  COSTA, Edja Maria Melo de Brito. Radiation-induced oral mucositis: the use of growth factors and laser. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.58, n.4, pp. 511-514. ISSN 1981-8637.

Radiation doses of 50 to 70 Gy may cause oral mucositis. The MEDLINE database was searched for full articles published in English from 1995 to 2005 on radiation-induced oral mucositis in humans. Forty relevant articles were found and of these, only 17 presented scientific evidence of the use of growth factors and low-power laser administered locally as treatment options for oral mucositis. Most authors considered the World Health Organization's grading system the most appropriate for classifying the grade of this oral complication. Review of these articles revealed that growth factors and low-power laser used locally can reduce the severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis, stimulating cell proliferation and consequently, promote healing. This helps to better the quality of life of these patients.

Keywords : Stomatitis; Radiotherapy; Radiation; Laser therapy low-level.