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Clinical Trial
. 1995 Dec 15;76(12):2550-6.
doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19951215)76:12<2550::aid-cncr2820761222>3.0.co;2-x.

Helium-neon laser effects on conditioning-induced oral mucositis in bone marrow transplantation patients

A Barasch  1 , D E Peterson, J M Tanzer, J A D'Ambrosio, K Nuki, M M Schubert, J C Franquin, J Clive, P Tutschka
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Helium-neon laser effects on conditioning-induced oral mucositis in bone marrow transplantation patients

A Barasch et al. Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: Oral mucositis is a common complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) conditioning therapy. Sequelae consist of increased risk for infection, moderate to severe pain, compromised oral function, and bleeding. This study investigated helium-neon laser treatment for prevention of conditioning-induced oral mucositis in BMT patients. Patterns and severity of mucositis for specific conditioning drug regimens also were analyzed.

Methods: Twenty patients received laser radiation to their oral mucosa, either left or right of midline. The contralateral side was sham-treated and served as a control. Mucositis severity was scored independently by two modified versions of the Oral Mucositis Index Scale (OMI-A and OMI-B) and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Oral Toxicity Scale; pain severity was scored by subjects on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Cumulative scores were analyzed for differences between the laser-treated and sham-treated sides.

Results: Oral mucositis and pain scores were significantly lower for the treated versus the untreated side by OMI-A and B (P < 0.005) and VAS (P = 0.027) criteria, respectively. Ulcerative lesions occurred in all patients bilaterally; severity increased until Day +6, and lesions resolved by Day +21. Mucositis was more severe for patients conditioned with busulfan/carboplatin/thiotepa than for patients conditioned with busulfan/cyclophosphamide/etoposide.

Conclusions: Helium-neon laser treatment was well-tolerated and reduced the severity of conditioning-induced oral mucositis in BMT patients.

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