HELIUM-NEON LASER EFFECTS ON CONDITIONING-INDUCED ORAL MUCOSITIS IN BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION PATIENTS

Background. Oral mucositis is a common complication of bone marrow tra nsplantation (BMT) conditioning therapy. Sequelae consist of increased risk for infection, moderate to severe pain, compromised oral functio n, and bleeding. This study investigated helium-neon laser treatment f or prevention of conditioning-induced oral mucositis in BMT patients. Patterns and severity of mucositis for specific conditioning drug regi mens also were analyzed. Methods. Twenty patients received laser radia tion to their oral mucosa, either left or right of midline. The contra lateral side was sham-treated and served as a control. Mucositis sever ity was scored independently by two modified versions of the Oral Muco sitis Index Scale (OMI-A and OMI-B) and the Eastern Cooperative Oncolo gy Group (ECOG) Oral Toxicity Scale; pain severity was scored by subje cts on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Cumulative scores were analyzed for differences between the laser-treated and sham-treated sides. Resu lts. Oral mucositis and pain scores were significantly lower for the t reated versus the untreated side by OMI-A and B (P < 0.005) and VAS (P = 0.027) criteria, respectively. Ulcerative lesions occurred in all p atients bilaterally; severity increased until Day +6, and lesions reso lved by Day +21. Mucositis was more severe for patients conditioned wi th busulfan/carboplatin/thiotepa than for patients conditioned with bu sulfan/cyclophosphamide/etoposide. Conclusions. Helium-neon laser trea tment was well-tolerated and reduced the severity of conditioning-indu ced oral mucositis in BMT patients.