Low-level laser therapy for the prevention and management of radiodermatitis in cancer patients

Abstract

Up to 90% of the radiotherapy patients will develop a certain degree of skin reaction at the treated area, also known as radiodermatitis (RD). RD can be distressing and painful for the patients, which may affect their general quality of life. Furthermore, when the skin reactions become worse, it might be necessary to change the treatment protocol or even interrupt radiotherapy, hereby compromising treatment outcome. Therefore, prevention and management of RD is an important task of the radiotherapy department. Up to now, a wide variety of strategies are available to prevent and manage RD. However, no comprehensive, evidence-based consensus for the management of RD exists. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a promising, non-invasive technique for treating RD. It uses monochromatic, narrow band, red or near- infrared (NIR) light and is referred to as “low-level” as the power densities used are lower than those needed to produce heating of tissue. LLLT improves the wound healing process by biostimulating different cellular mechanisms. In a recent pilot study by our research group, LLLT prevented the aggravation of RD and provided symptomatic relief in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Currently, we are performing randomized control trials with breast and head and neck cancer patients to investigate whether LLLT is effective for the prevention of RD.