The use of low-level laser therapy in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis

ABSTRACT

The management of oral mucositis is fundamental in maintaining the quality of life of cancer patients as well as the feasibility and effectiveness of non-surgical treatments of cancer. A literature review was carried out in order to update information on the use of low-level laser therapy for prevention and treatment of induced oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy or conditioning for hematopoietic cell transplantation. Lasertherapy is a simple, non-invasive and atraumatic technique which has shown good results in the prevention of oral mucositis through basic research and controlled clinical trials. Although the precise molecular mechanisms of low-level laser action have not been elucidated, in face of its proven effectiveness in the management of oral mucositis and the absence of side effects, its use should be continued and even encouraged while the results from new studies defining the optimal parameters for laser application are awaited.