A Case Report: Combined Acupuncture and Low-Level Laser Therapy to Mitigate Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis

Abstract

Oral mucositis is a common and debilitating side effect of radiation therapy in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients, often leading to symptoms such as xerostomia (dry mouth), dysgeusia (altered taste), and oral pain. This case report examines the treatment of a 70-year-old female who underwent radiation therapy for tonsillar cancer and experienced ongoing radiation-induced oral mucositis. After receiving acupuncture and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for 1.5 years, the patient was able to decrease either the dose or frequency of her pain medication and gained weight since losing about 50 lbs with cancer treatment. This case report highlights the potential therapeutic effect of combining acupuncture and LLLT to alleviate H&N post-radiation symptoms. However, this report is limited by inconsistent treatment protocols and a lack of quantitative measurement, necessitating further studies to confirm treatment efficacy.