Low intensity laser irradiation in the treatment of recalcitrant radiation ulcers in patients with breast cancer – long‐term results of 3 cases

Abstract

Radiotherapy can be followed by recalcitrant skin ulcers. As low intensity laser irradiation has been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on impaired wound healing, we investigated its efficacy and safety in three patients with chronic radiation ulcers. The three patients, previously mastectomized due to breast cancer, with recalcitrant radiation ulcers of the skin were treated with a 30 mW helium-neon laser (wavelength: 632.8 nm, intensity: 3 mW/cm2, dose: 30 J/ cm2) three times weekly. In all patients, complete wound closure was achieved within a period of 7, 5, and 8 weeks. One patient died 6 weeks after laser treatment due to tumor cachexia. Neither of the other patients showed recurrence of radiation ulcers or neoplasm during a follow-up of 36 months. Low intensity helium-neon laser irradiation has been shown to be effective in the induction of wound healing in radiotherapy-induced ulcers in three patients with breast cancer.

Development of a Novel Targeting System for Lethal Photosensitization of Antibiotic-Resistant Strains of Staphylococcus aureus

“…The helium/neon laser is a device emitting light with a wavelength of 632 nm, and, at the light energy doses and densities needed to activate photosensitizers such as tin chlorin e6, it does not result in damage to human tissue. Indeed, irradiation of wounds with light from a helium/neon laser (without the application of a photosensitizer) has met with some success as a means of stimulating wound healing in humans (29,30). One possible problem with the use of lightactivated antimicrobial agents is that the singlet oxygen produced during the process has the potential to also damage neighboring host cells.…”

Radiation dermatitis: Clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and treatment 2006

“…111 Novel therapies, including low-intensity helium-neon laser, has benefited some patients with recalcitrant chronic skin ulcers after RT, perhaps by enhancing metabolic pathways, cell proliferation, and motility of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, as well as improving skin circulation and inducing angiogenesis. 9,136,145 Recombinant PDGF and hydrophilic copolymer membranes have also been utilized to treat chronic radiation-induced ulcers. 134 Topical or oral antibacterial agents should be considered in the treatment of wounds that are at high risk or are already infected.…”

Effect of wavelength on low-intensity laser irradiation-stimulated cell proliferation in vitro

“…A chronic wound in a dog was successfully treated with 630 nm laser light [22]. Likewise, chronic wounds in people, including recalcitrant radiation ulcers and diabetic neuropathic and microangiopathic ulcers, have been successfully treated with low-intensity laser irradiation [23][24][25].…”