The low-level laser therapy in the management of oral mucositis in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a pilot study

Aim: Mucositis is a frequent and debilitating inflammatory complication affecting oropharyngeal mucosa, esophagus and gastro enteric tract in oncological patients treated by radiotherapy and/ or chemotherapy. Specifically, Oral Mucositis (OM) occurs in up to 75% of patients receveing high-dose of myeloablative chemotherapy used for conditioning regimens for allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). Clinically, OM is characterized by erythema or ulcerative lesions that can lead to several problems, including oral pain, increased risk of secondary infection due to open sores in the mucosa and difficulties in eating, drinking or speaking. In addition, narcotic analgesia and complete parenteral nutrition are commonly required after HSCT. Advantages of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for OM are well reported in literature as a result of its anti-inflammatory, biomodulator and tissue repair properties. The absence of standardized guidelines about technical parameters (power, dose, wavelength, time of treatment) is the principal limit in the use of LLLT for OM. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate a LLLT protocol in patients affected by OM undergoing HSCT.