Photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention and treatment of acute radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer: A case series

Objective

to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the prevention of radiodermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer and to describes a protocol for the use of low-power laser with different energy doses according to the grades of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD).

Methods and materials

This is a case series study and were evaluated the medical records of 15 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent photobiomodulation for prevention and\or treatment of ARD during radiotherapy treatment at São Luiz Jabaquara Hospital in São Paulo, from January 2021 to February 2022. The data obtained were organized in a descriptive way.

Results

Of the medical records eligible for the study, three were discarded because the patients did not undergo PBMT. These three evolved to grade III radiodermatitis and radiotherapy treatment was interrupted. Among sample receiving photobiomodulation therapy during radiotherapy treatment, 50 % developed radiodermatitis. 25 % presented grade I radiodermatitis and 25 % developed grade III radiodermatitis. However, only 1 % of the sample had its radiotherapy treatment interrupted due to radiodermatitis.

Conclusion

Photobiomodulation is a safe and effective alternative in the management of radiodermatitis, but more studies are needed to establish a PBMT protocol.