A fotobiomodulação como suporte terapêutico em paciente oncológico com mucosite oral: série de casos

Abstract

Oral mucositis is one of the most frequent and debilitating complications in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy, characterized by intense pain, ulcerative lesions and significant functional impairment, especially regarding nutrition and overall quality of life. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a relevant therapeutic approach for the prevention and management of this condition due to its ability to modulate inflammatory processes, stimulate tissue repair and promote progressive clinical improvement. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of photobiomodulation in the treatment of oral mucositis through a series of three clinical cases in which oncologic patients developed mucositis at different severity levels during antineoplastic therapy. The methodology consisted of an individual assessment of each patient, including clinical documentation, mucositis grading and application of PBM according to the protocol used by the service, followed by monitoring of lesion evolution and symptom response. The results demonstrated that all patients experienced significant improvement after beginning PBM, with measurable reduction in pain, decreased extent of ulcerations, stabilization of the clinical picture and regression of mucositis severity, even in cases where treatment was initiated at later stages. Photobiomodulation directly contributed to the maintenance of oral feeding, increased comfort during therapy and improved tolerance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions, reducing the risk of treatment interruptions. Early initiation of PBM showed even more favorable outcomes, reinforcing its preventive potential. These findings align with current scientific literature, which recognizes PBM as a safe, non-invasive, low-cost and widely applicable therapeutic resource in the supportive care of cancer patients. This case series also highlights the essential role of dental surgeons within the multidisciplinary oncologic team, demonstrating that evidence-based interventions can positively influence clinical outcomes and enhance patients’ quality of life. Thus, photobiomodulation proves to be a highly effective tool for the management of oral mucositis, contributing to symptom relief, optimization of supportive care and continuity of oncologic treatment.