Department of Periodontal Diseases and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

On-line: Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Treatment of Oral Mucositis – a Clinical Case Series

Mucositis refers to mucosal damage secondary to cancer therapy occurring in the oral cavity, and can be caused by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Acute complications include mucosal lesions, pain, dysphagia, infections, salivary changes, dysgeusia, and dermatitis, and common chronic complications include hyposalivation, mucosal infections, mucosal atrophy, neuropathies, tooth demineralization and rampant caries, soft tissue and/or bone necrosis, trismus, lymphedema, dermatitis, and voice and speech alterations. These oral complications are associated with a high possibility of a negative impact not only on the quality of life (QoL) but also on the patient’s compliance to therapy and the clinical outcomes; this is why it is important to prevent and treat these complications.

The aim of this case series was to assess the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy with a specific protocol that was suggested by a multinational panel of experts in the field of PBM and supportive care in cancer patients in the treatment of OM.

The lecture will show 3 clinical cases of patients with oral mucositis located on the tongue, palatal arch, and labial commissure or on labial, and buccal skin, which have been irradiated with the 635 nm diode laser therapy algorithm (PBM), in accordance with MASCC/ISOO (Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/ International Society of Oral Oncology) guidelines.

Conclusion the PBM protocol recommended by MASCC/ISOO seems to be helpful as an additional method not only in prophylaxis but also in the treatment of symptoms of oral mucositis and its complications such as dermatitis, pain, xerostomia, and lymphedema.