Efficacy of low level laser (685nm) therapy in prevention of radiation induced oral mucositis and xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer

Oral mucositis is a common morbid condition which is associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for which there is no standard treatment or prophylactic method. According to past studies the use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) can reduce the severity of mucositis and xerostomia in such conditions, both as treatment and a prophylactic factor. Thirty nine patients with head and neck cancer who were being treated with radiotherapy in Cancer Insittiue of Iran enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized to LLLT and placebo treatment starting on the 1st day of radiotherapy through the whole period of their treatment. Objective assessment of the degree of mucositis and xerostomia was recorded every other day by a physician blinded to the type of treatment. All 39 patients developed degrees of mucositis during their course of radiotherapy. The patient in placebo groups had experienced sever mucositis (grade III and IV) more than LLLT treatment group significantly (p=0.04) (75.6% v.s. 57.1%). The median of incidence time of sever mucositis in LLLT group 21 days after beginning of radiotherapy in which it is 16 days in placebo group. There was no significant difference between LLLT and placebo group according to xerostomia. LLLT is capable of reducing the severity and duration of oral mucositis associated with radiation therapy. However for detection of LLLT efficacy on xerostomia, it is necessary long time follow-up.