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Evidence by topic

How do cancer related PBM studies measure skin, lymph and salivary glands?

103 papers: 57 human studies, 45 evidence reviews and 1 animal or cell study from 2024 onward. Dermatitis, lymphedema, saliva, swallowing, taste and muscle measures are distinguished.

All 216 MED and PMC title and abstract search records were checked. Human studies have no lower year limit; animal and cell studies are included from 2024 onward. The scope covers cancer related dermatitis, lymphedema, saliva, swallowing, taste and muscle measures. Papers measuring only oral mucositis or neuropathy are excluded. Evidence reviews are grouped separately and different papers may describe the same trial. This abstract based inventory is not a systematic review guaranteeing all relevant literature.

Checked 2026-10-29 · 216 records searched

Randomized human trials29

  1. 46 patients with breast cancer related lymphedema were randomized to 904 nm, 650 nm or sham irradiation. Lymphography, ultrasound, bioimpedance and tissue water were measured.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2026 · PMID 42782358

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-026-05045-6Record and abstractFree full text

  2. 25 head and neck cancer survivors with chronic lymphedema were randomized to PBM (12) or a waiting control (13). Twelve sessions over six weeks were followed by lymphedema, fibrosis and neck and jaw motion assessments.

    Integr Cancer Ther · 2026 · PMID 42071320

    DOI 10.1177/15347354261439138Record and abstractFree full text

  3. 31 head and neck cancer patients with chronic dry mouth after radiotherapy were randomized to PBM or sham. Twenty four sessions at 830 nm were accompanied by salivary flow, protein, IgA and swallowing measures through six months.

    BMC Oral Health · 2025 · PMID 41013422

    DOI 10.1186/s12903-025-06735-3Record and abstractFree full text

  4. 180 women with breast cancer were randomized into three groups of 60, comparing combined red and infrared irradiation with each wavelength alone using taste tests, questionnaires and salivary flow.

    Support Care Cancer · 2025 · PMID 40658227

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-025-09756-4Record and abstract

  5. 75 head and neck cancer patients were randomized to intraoral PBM with extraoral sham (38) or combined intraoral and extraoral PBM (37), with oral mucosal and dry mouth assessments.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2025 · PMID 40549226

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-025-04539-zRecord and abstract

  6. A single center randomized study of 53 head and neck cancer patients compared PBM with standard care, measuring salivary function, dry mouth, taste and mouth opening.

    Oral Oncol · 2025 · PMID 40184883

    DOI 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2025.107266Record and abstract

  7. 45 patients starting chemotherapy were randomized to basic oral care, intraoral PBM or intraoral and extraoral PBM, with dry mouth, oral mucosal and quality of life follow up.

    BMC Oral Health · 2025 · PMID 39910516

    DOI 10.1186/s12903-025-05579-1Record and abstractFree full text

  8. 37 head and neck cancer patients received 810 nm PBM or sham at 16 points over salivary glands, with stimulated and unstimulated saliva and xerostomia scale assessments.

    J Lasers Med Sci · 2024 · PMID 38655042

    DOI 10.34172/jlms.2024.04Record and abstractFree full text

  9. 53 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were randomized to artificial saliva with PBM or sham, comparing dry mouth related quality of life and oral examinations.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2023 · PMID 37060370

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-023-03760-yRecord and abstract

  10. 45 patients with stage II breast cancer related lymphedema were randomized to laser, taping or manual lymphatic drainage. All received compression and exercise, with arm volume and shoulder motion measured through 12 weeks.

    Eur J Breast Health · 2023 · PMID 36605467

    DOI 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2022.2022-6-4Record and abstractFree full text
Show all · 29 papersShow less

  1. 112 women with breast cancer were randomized to PBM or sham. Irradiation at 21 tongue points during four doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide cycles accompanied taste tests and questionnaires.

    Support Care Cancer · 2021 · PMID 34799776

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-021-06642-7Record and abstract

  2. 71 breast cancer patients were randomized to PBM (39) or control (32), with twice weekly sessions during hypofractionated radiotherapy and weekly dermatitis grading.

    Lasers Surg Med · 2021 · PMID 34481420

    DOI 10.1002/lsm.23475Record and abstract

  3. 42 patients with lymphedema after mastectomy were randomized to compression plus laser or compression alone, with 21 per group. Twenty sessions over four weeks accompanied arm circumference, grip and pain follow up through 12 months.

    Lymphat Res Biol · 2021 · PMID 33826415

    DOI 10.1089/lrb.2020.0132Record and abstract

  4. 46 head and neck cancer patients were randomized to PBM or sham twice weekly from the start of radiotherapy, with dermatitis scales and skin related quality of life assessments.

    Radiother Oncol · 2021 · PMID 33711412

    DOI 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.03.002Record and abstract

  5. 21 patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy were randomized to PBM or sham. Intraoral 660 nm and extraoral 810 nm sessions three times weekly accompanied salivary flow, composition, pH and dry mouth assessments.

    J Photochem Photobiol B · 2020 · PMID 32570059

    DOI 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111933Record and abstract

  6. 22 patients with breast cancer related lymphedema were randomized to laser or sham twice weekly alongside decongestive care, with arm volume and symptom and emotional questionnaires followed for 12 months.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2019 · PMID 31079232

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-019-02798-1Record and abstract

  7. A randomized PBM versus sham study of 120 breast cancer patients applied sessions twice weekly during radiotherapy, measuring transepidermal water loss, erythema, melanin and desquamation.

    Support Care Cancer · 2018 · PMID 30270415

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-018-4487-4Record and abstract

  8. 17 patients with breast cancer related lymphedema were randomized to conventional care with six weeks of PBM or conventional care alone. Recruitment, completion, arm circumference and symptoms were recorded through 12 weeks.

    Lasers Surg Med · 2018 · PMID 29851090

    DOI 10.1002/lsm.22947Record and abstract

  9. 120 breast cancer patients were randomized equally to PBM or sham twice weekly during radiotherapy, with dermatitis scales and quality of life assessments.

    Lasers Surg Med · 2018 · PMID 29427390

    DOI 10.1002/lsm.22804Record and abstract

  10. A double blind randomized comparison in 40 patients with unilateral breast cancer related lymphedema used eight ten minute axillary cluster laser sessions, measuring arm volume, grip strength, pain and quality of life.

    Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed · 2017 · PMID 27943450

    DOI 10.1111/phpp.12284Record and abstract

  11. 23 patients with hyposalivation after head and neck radiotherapy were randomized to laser (12) or control (11). Twelve 830 nm sessions over six weeks accompanied salivary flow, dry mouth and quality of life assessments.

    Photomed Laser Surg · 2014 · PMID 25302460

    DOI 10.1089/pho.2014.3741Record and abstract

  12. 46 women with lymphedema after breast cancer were randomized to manual drainage, laser or both. All received compression, with arm volume, extracellular fluid and quality of life assessments.

    Oncol Nurs Forum · 2013 · PMID 23803270

    DOI 10.1188/13.onf.383-393Record and abstractFree full text

  13. A double blind randomized laser study in 24 adults receiving chemotherapy measured dry mouth, oral mucositis and pain.

    Acta Med Iran · 2013 · PMID 23605599

    Record and abstract

  14. 221 head and neck cancer patients were randomized to laser (111) or sham (110) daily before radiotherapy, measuring swallowing scales, weight, oral mucosa and pain.

    Radiother Oncol · 2012 · PMID 22884841

    DOI 10.1016/j.radonc.2012.06.011Record and abstract

  15. 50 women with breast cancer related lymphedema were randomized equally to 904 nm laser or sham three times weekly for 12 weeks, measuring arm circumference, shoulder motion and grip strength.

    J Surg Res · 2010 · PMID 20538293

    DOI 10.1016/j.jss.2010.03.050Record and abstract

  16. 21 women with unilateral lymphedema after mastectomy were randomized to 12 laser sessions over four weeks or no irradiation, with arm volume, tissue resistance and arm and shoulder questionnaires.

    Photomed Laser Surg · 2009 · PMID 19878027

    DOI 10.1089/pho.2008.2330Record and abstract

  17. 47 patients with lymphedema after mastectomy were randomized to compression (24) or laser (23). Four weeks of sessions were followed by arm circumference, pain and grip assessments through 12 months.

    Clin Rehabil · 2009 · PMID 19164399

    DOI 10.1177/0269215508096173Record and abstract

  18. Eleven women with lymphedema after mastectomy were randomized to 890 nm laser or sham, with eight completing sessions. Arm circumference, pain and movement were followed through 22 weeks.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2006 · PMID 16673054

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-006-0380-3Record and abstract

  19. A double blind randomized crossover study of postmastectomy lymphedema compared one or two axillary laser cycles with sham, measuring arm volume, extracellular fluid and tissue hardness. The abstract does not state the sample size.

    Cancer · 2003 · PMID 12973834

    DOI 10.1002/cncr.11641Record and abstract

Nonrandomized controlled human studies4

  1. A nonrandomized prospective study of 53 women with breast cancer compared 470 nm LED in 26 participants with 27 controls, measuring dermatitis grades and skin related quality of life.

    Support Care Cancer · 2025 · PMID 41454020

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-025-10274-6Record and abstract

  2. A longitudinal study compared PBM and bethanechol in head and neck cancer, measuring salivary flow, pH, dry mouth and elemental composition before and after radiotherapy. Sample size is not stated in the abstract.

    Support Care Cancer · 2025 · PMID 39825016

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-024-09120-yRecord and abstract

  3. Among 70 breast cancer patients, 25 receiving PBM were compared with 45 controls and a matched control subset of 25. Dermatitis grades and pain scores were recorded during radiotherapy.

    Strahlenther Onkol · 2017 · PMID 28243723

    DOI 10.1007/s00066-017-1117-xRecord and abstract

  4. A nonrandomized study compared successive breast cancer cohorts: 41 controls and 38 patients receiving six additional PBM sessions, with dermatitis scales and skin related quality of life measures.

    Support Care Cancer · 2016 · PMID 27116013

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-016-3232-0Record and abstract

Human observational studies3

  1. Records of 117 head and neck cancer patients receiving PBM were reviewed retrospectively. Dermatitis, swallowing measures and survival follow up were compared by session exposure; median follow up was 16 months.

    J Clin Med · 2026 · PMID 42941485

    DOI 10.3390/jcm15207968Record and abstract

  2. Twenty head and neck cancer patients receiving oral care including laser had salivary flow measured before, during and after radiotherapy, with separate dry mouth questionnaires.

    Gen Dent · 2021 · PMID 34424207

    Record and abstract

  3. 23 head and neck cancer patients received intraoral and extraoral 830 nm PBM three times weekly. Salivary flow and dry mouth were observed before, during and after radiotherapy.

    Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal · 2021 · PMID 33247577

    DOI 10.4317/medoral.23912Record and abstractFree full text

Human studies without a control group20

  1. Four adults with multiple myeloma received 660 and 808 nm PBM alongside talquetamab. Interviews and oral examinations recorded taste and dry mouth; salivary flow was not quantified.

    Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42629521

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-026-11133-8Record and abstractFree full text

  2. One man with multiple myeloma received PBM alongside talquetamab, with irradiation at 78 oral points every 48 hours and taste observations over seven weeks.

    Laryngoscope · 2025 · PMID 40673647

    DOI 10.1002/lary.32445Record and abstract

  3. Ten head and neck cancer patients with dry mouth and hyposalivation received PBM twice weekly for four weeks. Salivary flow, taste questionnaires and oral quality of life were recorded.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2025 · PMID 39833441

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-025-04292-3Record and abstract

  4. A retrospective series of three head and neck cancer patients combined PBM with photodynamic methods, recording dermatitis grades, lesions and pain before and after.

    EXCLI J · 2024 · PMID 39624110

    DOI 10.17179/excli2024-7749Record and abstractFree full text

  5. 30 head and neck cancer patients received 15 to 20 PBM sessions during radiotherapy. Salivary flow, dry mouth, trace elements, proteins and pH were measured before and after.

    Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol · 2023 · PMID 38218654

    DOI 10.1016/j.oooo.2023.11.007Record and abstract

  6. A nonrandomized phase II study of 23 patients with breast cancer related arm lymphedema applied laser three times weekly for four weeks, then repeated the course after eight weeks, measuring arm circumference, volume and symptoms.

    Health Sci Rep · 2023 · PMID 37205934

    DOI 10.1002/hsr2.1261Record and abstractFree full text

  7. One patient with anal squamous cell carcinoma received PBM alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with perianal dermatitis and symptom reports recorded.

    Radiat Oncol · 2022 · PMID 35255933

    DOI 10.1186/s13014-022-02015-4Record and abstractFree full text

  8. A multicenter prospective PBM study enrolled 72 head and neck or breast cancer patients, recording device related adverse events, dermatitis and mucosal grades and satisfaction across 1,312 sessions.

    Support Care Cancer · 2021 · PMID 34537889

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-021-06574-2Record and abstractFree full text

  9. Twelve patients with lymphedema after head and neck cancer entered a 12 session PBM study over six weeks; 11 completed it. Swelling, symptoms and neck motion were assessed before, after and four weeks later.

    Integr Cancer Ther · 2021 · PMID 34387119

    DOI 10.1177/15347354211037938Record and abstractFree full text

  10. One patient with osteoradionecrosis and dry mouth after laryngeal cancer radiotherapy received PBM with antimicrobial photodynamic methods, with oral lesion and dry mouth and pain reports.

    Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther · 2020 · PMID 32464267

    DOI 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2020.101835Record and abstract

  11. One woman with breast cancer related arm lymphedema and a dialysis fistula received 12 laser sessions with taping and exercise, with arm volume measured before and after.

    Turk J Phys Med Rehabil · 2020 · PMID 32760900

    DOI 10.5606/tftrd.2020.3430Record and abstractFree full text

  12. A prospective cohort of 61 head and neck cancer patients combined an oral care program with daily PBM, recording swallowing, taste, quality of life and survival follow up.

    Support Care Cancer · 2020 · PMID 31900618

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-019-05283-1Record and abstract

  13. 33 patients receiving neck radiotherapy received PBM three times weekly, with dermatitis grades, session completion and adverse events recorded.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2019 · PMID 31811498

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-019-02930-1Record and abstract

  14. A case series applied 635 nm PBM to cancer related oral symptoms, recording swallowing scales, salivary flow and taste tests before, during and after five or ten sessions. The abstract does not state the patient count.

    Int J Environ Res Public Health · 2019 · PMID 31731594

    DOI 10.3390/ijerph16224505Record and abstractFree full text

  15. Two patients with acute cervical radiodermatitis received daily red PBM, with irradiation parameters, skin observations and pain reports recorded as cases.

    Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg · 2019 · PMID 31603732

    DOI 10.1089/photob.2019.4698Record and abstract

  16. One breast cancer patient with chronic dysphagia after hormonal medication received PBM, with an oropharyngeal swallowing scale recorded before, during and after sessions.

    Dent J (Basel) · 2019 · PMID 31086017

    DOI 10.3390/dj7020053Record and abstractFree full text

  17. One patient undergoing head and neck radiotherapy received five PBM sessions, with standardized taste testing, stimulated and resting saliva and oral mucosal grades.

    Dent J (Basel) · 2018 · PMID 30423851

    DOI 10.3390/dj6040064Record and abstractFree full text

  18. 29 patients with dry mouth after head and neck radiotherapy received 24 sessions of 808 nm laser over three months, comparing salivary flow, pH and quality of life before and after.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2017 · PMID 28258315

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-017-2180-3Record and abstract

  19. 17 women with breast cancer related lymphedema received two laser cycles alongside existing care. Arm circumference, pain, scar mobility, range of motion and adverse events were recorded.

    Support Care Cancer · 2010 · PMID 20445997

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-010-0888-8Record and abstract

  20. Ten women with arm lymphedema after breast cancer received 16 laser sessions over ten weeks; seven were followed for 36 months. Arm circumference, volume, tissue hardness and bioimpedance were measured.

    Lymphology · 1998 · PMID 9664272

    Record and abstract

Qualitative human studies1

  1. An interview analysis within a PBM study for chronic head and neck lymphedema included 12 consenting participants, of whom 11 completed sessions. Semistructured interviews covered swelling and swallowing experiences and travel burden.

    J Palliat Med · 2023 · PMID 37116057

    DOI 10.1089/jpm.2021.0419Record and abstract

Systematic reviews, meta analyses and scoping reviews45

  1. A synthesis of seven randomized trials in head and neck cancer examined PBM protocols, salivary flow, oral pain and quality of life after radiotherapy.

    Dent J (Basel) · 2026 · PMID 42782929

    DOI 10.3390/dj14090542Record and abstractFree full text

  2. A scoping review examined nine studies with 619 head and neck cancer survivors, distinguishing PBM, compression and other approaches and internal laryngopharyngeal lymphedema and swallowing measures.

    Head Neck · 2026 · PMID 42351382

    DOI 10.1002/hed.70374Record and abstract

  3. A scoping review examined 21 papers on head and neck cancer radiodermatitis, separating PBM, topical agents, dressings and skin rating scales.

    Health Care Sci · 2026 · PMID 42499639

    DOI 10.1002/hcs2.70062Record and abstractFree full text

  4. 33 papers reporting 30 randomized trials with 1,748 head and neck cancer patients were synthesized, distinguishing dry mouth, salivary flow, pain and quality of life measures.

    Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41880047

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-026-10575-4Record and abstractFree full text

  5. Nine randomized PBM trials with 312 participants with breast cancer related lymphedema were synthesized, distinguishing arm volume and circumference, grip strength and pain.

    Front Oncol · 2026 · PMID 41948502

    DOI 10.3389/fonc.2026.1802643Record and abstractFree full text

  6. Six LED studies with 233 participants undergoing breast cancer radiotherapy were reviewed. Three randomized and three nonrandomized studies assessed dermatitis grades.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2026 · PMID 41706328

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-026-04803-wRecord and abstractFree full text

  7. A review examined 31 randomized trials of dry mouth after head and neck radiotherapy, distinguishing salivary flow and xerostomia scales across PBM and other methods.

    Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg · 2025 · PMID 41253620

    DOI 10.1016/j.bjoms.2025.10.003Record and abstract

  8. A review of 19 papers on taste and nutrition in breast cancer distinguished PBM, self monitoring and educational approaches, with taste questionnaires, appetite and weight measures.

    Nutr Hosp · 2025 · PMID 40504002

    DOI 10.20960/nh.05722Record and abstract

  9. Thirty randomized trials with 1,595 participants after head and neck radiotherapy compared salivary flow and quality of life across nine nonpharmacological methods including PBM.

    Front Oncol · 2025 · PMID 40809028

    DOI 10.3389/fonc.2025.1644178Record and abstractFree full text

  10. A scoping review of 45 papers on secondary lymphedema distinguished cancer and infectious causes, with laser and other approaches and functional measures.

    Cureus · 2025 · PMID 40486300

    DOI 10.7759/cureus.83627Record and abstractFree full text
Show all · 45 papersShow less

  1. A systematic PBM literature search and Delphi process involving 21 experts organized irradiation protocols and evidence by indication, including radiation dermatitis.

    J Am Acad Dermatol · 2025 · PMID 40253006

    DOI 10.1016/j.jaad.2025.04.031Record and abstract

  2. A systematic review of 51 papers on cancer related salivary gland function and dry mouth organized salivary flow and xerostomia reports across methods including PBM.

    Support Care Cancer · 2025 · PMID 39792256

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-024-09113-xRecord and abstractFree full text

  3. A synthesis of 18 studies of lymphedema after breast surgery distinguished laser, taping and mechanical massage approaches and arm volume, circumference and pain measures.

    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev · 2024 · PMID 39611899

    DOI 10.31557/apjcp.2024.25.11.3771Record and abstractFree full text

  4. A scoping review of 14 original studies examined PBM timing, dermatitis grades and adverse event reporting in cancer patients with radiodermatitis.

    Support Care Cancer · 2024 · PMID 39467916

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-024-08944-yRecord and abstractFree full text

  5. Eight PBM studies of cancer related radiodermatitis were synthesized, separating five randomized and three nonrandomized studies and comparing dermatitis grades.

    Radiother Oncol · 2024 · PMID 39426526

    DOI 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110589Record and abstract

  6. A rapid review of 40 randomized cancer related lymphedema studies distinguished compression and adjunctive methods including laser, mapping 30 studies.

    Med Oncol · 2024 · PMID 39417951

    DOI 10.1007/s12032-024-02447-wRecord and abstractFree full text

  7. A systematic review of 23 oncology PBM studies distinguished 14 laser and nine LED papers, including tumor experiments and clinical measures such as dry mouth.

    Front Oncol · 2024 · PMID 39439950

    DOI 10.3389/fonc.2024.1447653Record and abstractFree full text

  8. A network meta analysis of 33 papers with 4,307 patients compared dermatitis grades across 19 approaches including PBM.

    Am J Transl Res · 2024 · PMID 38883361

    DOI 10.62347/xlgt5405Record and abstractFree full text

  9. A review examined 11 randomized trials with 379 participants with breast cancer related lymphedema and pooled eight studies, separating arm circumference and volume, grip strength, pain and shoulder motion.

    Arch Med Sci · 2024 · PMID 40741271

    DOI 10.5114/aoms/186874Record and abstractFree full text

  10. A network meta analysis of 42 studies with 4,884 participants compared dermatitis grades, pain and itching across PBM and other approaches.

    PLoS One · 2024 · PMID 38598529

    DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0298209Record and abstractFree full text

  11. Nine studies of nonpharmacological approaches to cancer related taste changes were systematically reviewed, separating PBM, cooling, nutrition and educational approaches and taste measures.

    Eur J Oncol Nurs · 2024 · PMID 38593535

    DOI 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102569Record and abstract

  12. Four clinical PBM studies with 126 participants after head and neck radiotherapy were reviewed, comparing quality of life questionnaires and salivary flow.

    Support Care Cancer · 2024 · PMID 38244087

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-024-08325-5Record and abstract

  13. Eight clinical studies of salivary gland PBM after radiotherapy were reviewed and pooled, distinguishing extraoral protocols, salivary flow and pain measures.

    Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · 2024 · PMID 38189964

    DOI 10.1007/s00405-023-08425-8Record and abstract

  14. A systematic review of PBM in breast cancer related lymphedema compared arm swelling, quality of life and grip strength by irradiation site, dose and session count. The abstract does not state the included paper count.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2023 · PMID 38129368

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-023-03959-zRecord and abstract

  15. A systematic database review examined prospective PBM studies in oncology, organizing dermatitis, lymphedema, saliva and taste measures and irradiation protocols. The abstract does not state the included study count.

    Bull Cancer · 2023 · PMID 37858427

    DOI 10.1016/j.bulcan.2023.08.011Record and abstract

  16. A systematic review of 23 papers with 2,147 head and neck cancer patients distinguished one observational PBM study from compression, exercise and other approaches.

    JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · 2023 · PMID 37382963

    DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2023.1473Record and abstract

  17. A systematic review of 235 original radiodermatitis studies distinguished 149 randomized trials and organized interventions including PBM and dermatitis measures.

    EClinicalMedicine · 2023 · PMID 37181415

    DOI 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101886Record and abstractFree full text

  18. Five randomized papers on PBM and radiodermatitis were reviewed, synthesizing dermatitis grades across radiation exposure in four breast cancer and one head and neck cancer paper.

    Support Care Cancer · 2023 · PMID 36952036

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-023-07673-yRecord and abstractFree full text

  19. A systematic review of PBM during breast cancer radiotherapy organized wavelength, power, session frequency and skin reaction measures. The included study count is not stated in the abstract.

    J Lasers Med Sci · 2022 · PMID 36743146

    DOI 10.34172/jlms.2022.42Record and abstractFree full text

  20. Eight clinical laser studies of breast cancer related lymphedema were systematically reviewed, distinguishing arm circumference and volume, shoulder motion and pain.

    BMC Cancer · 2022 · PMID 36042421

    DOI 10.1186/s12885-022-10021-8Record and abstractFree full text

  21. A systematic review examined prospective PBM studies alongside radiotherapy, organizing dermatitis, lymphedema and saliva measures and irradiation protocols. The included study count is not stated in the abstract.

    Cancer Radiother · 2021 · PMID 34272181

    DOI 10.1016/j.canrad.2021.06.025Record and abstract

  22. Seven clinical studies of PBM and radiodermatitis were systematically synthesized, examining study design and dermatitis grade reporting.

    Crit Rev Oncol Hematol · 2021 · PMID 33989768

    DOI 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103349Record and abstract

  23. A systematic review of four economic PBM papers distinguished cost measurement units and comparisons for lymphedema and oral mucositis.

    Support Care Cancer · 2021 · PMID 33411048

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-020-05949-1Record and abstract

  24. A scoping review of 43 papers on taste and smell changes in cancer distinguished assessment tools across PBM, nutrition, medications and other approaches.

    Support Care Cancer · 2020 · PMID 32734392

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-020-05609-4Record and abstract

  25. Five controlled PBM studies of cancer related salivary function and dry mouth were reviewed, distinguishing salivary measures after head and neck radiotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

    Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg · 2020 · PMID 32109187

    DOI 10.1089/photob.2019.4767Record and abstract

  26. Nine randomized studies with 316 participants with breast cancer related lymphedema were reviewed and six pooled, comparing arm volume and circumference, grip strength and pain over time.

    Complement Ther Med · 2019 · PMID 31780036

    DOI 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102200Record and abstract

  27. A systematic review of 15 head and neck cancer PBM papers separated pain and analgesic use measures in 14 mucositis papers and one dermatitis paper.

    Support Care Cancer · 2019 · PMID 31264186

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-019-04939-2Record and abstract

  28. A systematic review of 27 oncology PBM papers distinguished adverse event and tumor follow up reports in studies including dermatitis and lymphedema.

    Oral Oncol · 2019 · PMID 31109692

    DOI 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.04.004Record and abstract

  29. Seven randomized trials from 11 clinical studies of breast cancer related lymphedema were analyzed, comparing arm circumference and volume, pain, movement and irradiation protocols.

    BMC Cancer · 2017 · PMID 29216916

    DOI 10.1186/s12885-017-3852-xRecord and abstractFree full text

  30. Twenty studies with 1,732 patients after head and neck radiotherapy compared salivary flow and dry mouth across laser and other methods, with six studies pooled.

    Oral Oncol · 2017 · PMID 28249650

    DOI 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.12.031Record and abstract

  31. A systematic review of breast cancer related lymphedema examined limb volume and quality of life measures across physical care, laser, surgery and medications. The included paper count is not stated in the abstract.

    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev · 2016 · PMID 28030915

    DOI 10.22034/apjcp.2016.17.11.4875Record and abstractFree full text

  32. Nine studies of breast cancer related lymphedema were systematically reviewed, separating within group and controlled comparisons of arm volume and pain.

    J Cancer Surviv · 2014 · PMID 25432632

    DOI 10.1007/s11764-014-0411-1Record and abstract

  33. Four studies selected from 41 records on laser for lymphedema after breast cancer were systematically reviewed, distinguishing axillary irradiation, limb volume and whether tumor follow up was reported.

    Lasers Med Sci · 2012 · PMID 23192573

    DOI 10.1007/s10103-012-1240-yRecord and abstract

  34. Eight laser studies with 230 patients with breast cancer related lymphedema were systematically reviewed, organizing irradiation dose and sites and arm volume measures.

    Support Care Cancer · 2012 · PMID 22875413

    DOI 10.1007/s00520-012-1546-0Record and abstract

  35. A systematic review of conservative methods for arm lymphedema after breast cancer distinguished laser, compression, manual drainage and exercise, with arm volume and subjective symptom measures. The abstract does not state the included paper count.

    Ann Oncol · 2006 · PMID 17018707

    DOI 10.1093/annonc/mdl182Record and abstract

Animal and cell studies from 20241

  1. PBM was applied to myotubes exposed to cancer cells and to tumor bearing mice. Myotube diameter, muscle proteins and PI3K and AKT signaling were measured with inhibitor comparisons. Sample size is not stated in the abstract.

    Apoptosis · 2024 · PMID 38598070

    DOI 10.1007/s10495-024-01949-2Record and abstract

Excluded 113 of 216 records: 33 narrative reviews or expert commentary, 32 nononcology populations, 12 absent abstracts, corrections or comments, 7 protocols without completed results, 2 PBM measurements outside this topic, 1 bibliometric analysis, 9 oncology population and PBM measures not confirmed in the abstract, 6 animal or cell studies before 2024, 3 no direct PBM intervention, 2 tumor and survival follow up assigned to the oncology safety topic, 1 swallowing reported only at baseline with oral lesion follow up, 1 paper held because of a linked editorial expression of concern, 4 oral mucositis or lesions without direct topic measurements.

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TITLE_ABS:(photobiomodulation OR PBMT OR "low level laser" OR "low level light" OR "red light therapy") AND TITLE_ABS:(lymphedema OR lymphoedema OR radiodermatitis OR "radiation dermatitis" OR xerostomia OR "salivary dysfunction" OR dysphagia OR dysgeusia OR cachexia) AND (SRC:MED OR SRC:PMC) AND FIRST_PDATE:[* TO 2026-10-29]

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Frequently asked questions

How is this topic separated from oral mucositis?

Papers measuring only oral mucositis belong to the existing topic. This list includes direct dermatitis, lymphedema, saliva, swallowing, taste or muscle measures.

Does the paper count equal the number of separate trials?

No. Skin assessments, interviews and follow up papers from the same trial may appear separately. Studies in evidence reviews can also overlap with this list.

How are saliva and dry mouth recorded?

Some studies measure stimulated and resting salivary flow, while others use dry mouth questionnaires. Cases without quantitative saliva testing are identified in their descriptions.