Photobiomodulation for the Prevention of Radiation Induced Oral Mucositis

Official Title

Photobiomodulation for the Prevention of Oral Mucositis in Patients Treated With Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Summary:

Radiation Therapy for head and neck cancer can cause severe mucositis (ulcers in the mouth) and pain. Photobiomodulation (Light therapy) will be used before and during radiation therapy to try to reduce the occurence and severity of mucositis in patients treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer Previous studies in head and neck cancer patients have shown that photobiomodulation (light therapy) can prevent mucositis. There are currently no centres in Canada using this technique in routine practice, but this is recommended in International guidelines and widely used in Europe. The investigators therefore wish to implement this technique in Ottawa under the umbrella of a clinical trial to insure its safety and efficacy in a Canadian context.

Trial Description

Primary Outcome:

• Rate of occurence of radiation mucositis
• Rate of occurence of radiation mucositis
• Rate of occurence of radiation mucositis
• Rate of occurence of radiation mucositis
• Rate of occurence of radiation mucositis
• Rate of occurence of radiation mucositis

Secondary Outcome:

• Brief Pain Inventory
• Brief Pain Inventory
• Brief Pain Inventory
• Brief Pain Inventory
• Brief Pain Inventory
• Brief Pain Inventory
• Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head & Neck (FACT-HN)
• Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head & Neck (FACT-HN)
• Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head & Neck (FACT-HN)
• Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head & Neck (FACT-HN)
• Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head & Neck (FACT-HN)
• EQ-5D
• EQ-5D
• EQ-5D
• EQ-5D
• EQ-5D
• EQ-5D
• Radiation dermatitis
• Radiation dermatitis
• Radiation dermatitis
• Radiation dermatitis
• Radiation dermatitis
• Radiation dermatitis

Introduction: Radiation Therapy for head and neck cancer can cause severe mucositis (ulcers in the mouth) and pain. Photobiomodulation (Light therapy) will be used before and during radiation therapy to try to reduce the occurence and severity of mucositis in patients treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer Rationale: Previous studies in head and neck cancer patients have shown that photobiomodulation (light therapy) can prevent mucositis. There are currently no centres in Canada using this technique in routine practice, but this is recommended in International guidelines and widely used in Europe. The investigators therefore wish to implement this technique in Ottawa under the umbrella of a clinical trial to insure its safety and efficacy in a Canadian context. Purpose/Objectives: Primary Objective Primary Objective • To determine the cumulative incidence of acute mucositis as defined by CTCAE version 2.0 for radiation induced mucositis (Appendix 1) during radiation therapy and for 1month following radiation therapy Secondary Objectives To determine the following during radiation therapy and for 24 months post-treatment

• Rate of occurrence of acute radiation dermatitis

• Pain scores

• Opioid use

• ESAS scores during and after RT

• FACT-HN questionnaire scores

• Late subcutaneous neck fibrosis

• Late mucosal and skin telangiectasia Study design/methodology: This is single arm prospective cohort study of a single intervention (photobiomodulation) in patients with head and neck cancer for the prevention of oral mucositis. Outcomes will be the following:

• Rates of acute and late mucositis according to CTCAE version 2.0

• Rates of acute and late dermatitis and fibrosis according to CTCAE version 5.0

• Rates of late teleangiectasia

• Pain scores as per Edmonton Symptom assessment scale (ESAS) and modified brief pain inventory

• Rates of opioid use

• FACT-HN scores

• EQ5D scores Anticipated public/scientific benefit: This study aims to study the use of Photobiomodulation treatments for prevention of oral mucositis. This is recommended in international guidelines but not used in routine practice in Canada. The benefit of this study is to allow implemetation of this technique in the Canadian context in a controlled and evaluated manner. This will hopefully then allow further study and wider implementation of this technique both in Ottawa and in Canada

View this trial on ClinicalTrials.gov