Censabella, S., Claes, S., Robijns, J., Bulens, P., & Mebis, J. (2016). Photobiomodulation for the management of radiation dermatitis: The DERMIS trial, a pilot study of MLS(®) laser therapy in breast cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24, 3925–3933.
To assess the effects of Multiwave Lock System low-level laser therapy in the management of acute radiation dermatitis
All patients received standard skin care including hydroactive colloid gel thre times daily throughout radiation therapy and self-adhesive silicone foam dressing for dry or moist desquamation. Those in the laser therapy group also received six sessions twice a week starting from fraction 20 of radiation. Results from the laser group were compared to that of a historical control group who had only usual care.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Prospective, quasiexperimental with historical control comparison
RTOG scores in the control group increased over time but remained stable in the laser group. The difference between groups was significant (p < 0.005). There were no cases of greater than grade 2 skin toxicity. Analysis of change in RISRA scores showed improvement in subjective scores in the laser group (p = 0.023) and less score increase overall in the laser group (p < 0.03).
This type of low-level laser therapy was shown to be beneficial in reducing the severity of radiodermatitis among women being treated for breast cancer.
The use of low-level laser therapy may have some benefit for the management of radiodermatitis. The promising findings from this study warrant additional well designed research.