Photon therapeutic apparatus in prevention of radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the application effect of carnation-11 red light therapy by photon therapeutic apparatus for radiation dermatitis induced by radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods 60 patients with head and neck cancer hospitalized first time were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, 30 cases for each group. The control group received routine nursing care during the period of radiotherapy (health education, skin care, skin protective agent, etc.); in addition of routine daily care, the experimental group got red light therapy by photon therapeutic apparatus, twice a day, 10 min per time, until the end of radiotherapy. The pain and skin conditions were evaluated daily. The skin pain and dermatitis degree were compared between these two groups. Results All the patients completed radiotherapy. There was statistical difference in the degree of radiation dermatitis reaction between these two groups (U=4.79, P=0.000). The experimental group mainly got 0-2 grade radioactive dermatitis and the control group 2-3.Chi square test showed that there were statistical differences in the incidences of oral pain week 2, 3, and 4 between these two groups (χ2=65.083, 27.091, P < 0.05), indicating that the occurrence of pain increased with time. Conclusions Photon therapeutic apparatus can significantly improve the radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients, shorten healing time, increase clinical efficacy, and reduce the patients’ economic burden and pain. Key words: Photon therapeutic apparatus; Red light therapy; Head and neck cancer; Radiation dermatitis