Photodynamic therapy for treatment of oral mucositis: Pilot study with pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis has become a major dose-limiting toxicity of antineoplastic treatment.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in pediatric patients.

METHODS: An open, controlled, and blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 29 patients, from 10 months to 18 years old, who were divided into two groups. Group A was submitted to photodynamic therapy (0.01% Methylene Blue and red laser, λ660 nm) with 3J energy per point; and Group B submitted to low level laser therapy (λ660 nm) with 1J energy per point. The results were evaluated by using the WHO and ChIMES mucositis scales. The Chi-square, Exact Fisher, Student's-t and Mann-Whitney tests, and the mixed linear regression model were used for comparison between the groups, with the maximum error admitted of 5%.

RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups as regards the number of sessions necessary for clinical cure of the oral lesions (p = 0.954) or reduction in pain reported by the patients (p = 0.258; p = 0.486). Within each group, however, there was significant reduction in pain (p = 0.032; p = 0.003). The number needed to treat (NNT) was 4.75.

CONCLUSIONS: PDT or LLLT could be used for treatment of oral mucositis in children/young patients. Each were well tolerated and presented satisfactory results in reducing pain associated with the lesion.