TLDR Photobiomodulation therapy helps manage cancer treatment side effects but needs more research for optimization.
The 2022 WALT position paper discusses the use of Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy in managing side effects of cancer therapy. PBM therapy, which uses light to stimulate cellular activity, has been found effective in preventing oral mucositis, a common side effect of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It has also shown potential in managing other complications such as inflammation, ulceration, edema, pain, fibrosis, neurological and muscular injury. However, there is a lack of robust evidence regarding its impact on malignant cell protection or tumor growth. The safety of PBM has been studied extensively, with limited significant adverse effects reported. The paper also discusses the potential of PBM therapy for the prevention or treatment of salivary gland dysfunction, acute radiation dermatitis, lymphedema, dysgeusia, and chemotherapy-induced alopecia. However, more research is needed to optimize and validate PBM treatments for these applications.
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