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

AIM:The aim of the present 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,λ660nm) with 3J energy per point; and Group B submitted to low level laser therapy (λ660nm) 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:Based on the results the authors concluded that both PDT and LLLT could be used for the treatment of oral mucositis in children/young patients, because it was well tolerated and presented satisfactory results in reducing pain associated with the lesion.