World Cancer Day, a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness, improve education, and encourage action in the fight against cancer. This day is not just about prevention and treatment; it’s also about improving the quality of life for those undergoing cancer therapy. One of the most painful and debilitating side effects of cancer treatments, particularly for those receiving chemotherapy and radiation, is oral mucositis—a condition that causes severe inflammation and painful ulcers in the mouth.

Oral mucositis is one of the most painful and debilitating side effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, particularly for head and neck cancer patients. It causes severe inflammation and ulceration in the mouth, making it difficult to eat, speak, and maintain oral hygiene. While traditional treatments often focus on pain management, recent research highlights infrared therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), as a powerful tool in treating and even preventing oral mucositis.

Benefits of Infrared Treatment for Oral Mucositis

Oral mucositis occurs when cancer treatments damage the rapidly dividing epithelial cells lining the mouth, leading to painful sores, inflammation, and an increased risk of infection (Sharma et al., 2019). This condition significantly affects cancer patients’ quality of life, often leading to interruptions in treatment and increased healthcare costs (Sonis, 2013).

Infrared therapy utilizes low-level laser or LED light to stimulate cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Unlike potentially addictive painkillers, infrared light penetrates deep into tissues, stimulating mitochondrial activity and accelerating tissue regeneration (Zhang et al., 2004). Some important benefits include:

✔️ Pain Reduction: Infrared therapy significantly reduces pain and inflammation by modulating inflammatory cytokines and improving blood flow to affected tissues (Buffalo University, 2019).
✔️ Accelerated Healing: Studies show that low-level laser therapy enhances mitochondrial function, leading to faster regeneration of damaged mucosal cells (Zhang et al., 2004).
✔️ Decreased Severity and Duration: Research suggests that patients undergoing low-level laser therapy experience milder cases of mucositis, shorter recovery times, and a reduced need for opioid pain relief (Buffalo University, 2019).
✔️ Prevention of Oral Mucositis – Infrared therapy is recommended for preventing oral mucositis in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer or stem cell transplantation (Medical Xpress, 2019).

Clinical Evidence Supporting Infrared Therapy

Multiple studies confirm the effectiveness of infrared therapy in treating and preventing oral mucositis:

A randomized controlled trial found that low-level laser therapy significantly improved patient-reported symptoms of oral mucositis and enhanced their overall quality of life during cancer treatment (Sharma et al., 2019).

A study investigating the impact of low-level laser therapy on mitochondrial function showed that infrared light stimulates mitochondrial activity, enhancing cellular repair and reducing inflammation (Zhang et al., 2004). Another study evaluating oncology patients receiving low-level laser therapy as a co-treatment found a notable decrease in the occurrence and severity of oral mucositis (Gautam et al., 2018).

With strong clinical evidence supporting its benefits, infrared therapy is becoming the gold standard for managing this painful condition. If you or a loved one are undergoing cancer treatment and experiencing oral mucositis, consider infrared therapy as a proactive step to ease discomfort and promote recovery.

Our Hearts are With You!
~ Your Friends at Innovation Wellness

References
Buffalo University. (2019, July 10). Light therapy could replace opioids as main treatment for cancer treatment side effects. Retrieved from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-07-therapy-opioids-main-treatment-cancer.html

Gautam, A. P., Fernandes, D. J., Vidyasagar, M. S., Maiya, A. G., & George, L. S. (2018). Evaluation of oral mucositis occurrence in oncologic patients under antineoplastic therapy submitted to the low-level laser coadjuvant therapy. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 36(3), 146-152. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29695071

Medical Xpress. (2019). Light therapy could replace opioids as main treatment for cancer treatment side effect. Retrieved from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-07-therapy-opioids-main-treatment-cancer.html

Sharma, A., Sharma, A., Raman, R., Roy, P., & Sharma, R. (2019). Effect of low-level laser therapy on patient-reported measures of oral mucositis and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy—a randomized controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 27(9), 3437-3445. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31360381

Sonis, S. T. (2013). Oral mucositis in cancer therapy. Journal of Supportive Oncology, 11(1), 30-32. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24261310

Zhang, R., Mio, Y., Pratt, P. F., Lohr, N. L., Warltier, D. C., Whelan, H. T., & Bienengraeber, M. (2004). Low-level laser irradiation stimulates mitochondrial membrane potential and disperses subnuclear promyelocytic leukemia protein. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 267(1-2), 9-17. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15611960