Can I Laser a Patient with Cancer?

Dr. Phil Harrington, Laser Lessons from Dr. Phil

Introduction

Contact info: laserlessonsfromdrphil@gmail.com
Working as the medical director for a Class 4 therapeutic laser company for 15 years.
Frequent and difficult question: Can a laser be used on a patient with cancer?

Logic of Decision-Making: Using the example of not punching someone in the face to illustrate multiple reasons for actions/decisions.
Two Categories: Physiological vs. Medical Legal
- Physiological: What I would do for myself and family.
- Medical Legal: Protecting liability and license to practice.

**Studies Reviewed: Summary of current published research: **
1. Selective cytotoxic effects of laser on human oral cancer cells (2015)
  - Conclusion: Low power laser irradiation might potentially treat oral cancers.
2. Laser therapy inhibits tumor growth in mice by promoting immune surveillance and vessel normalization
  (Animal study with mice)
  - Conclusion: In vitro increased cell metabolism; in vivo reduced tumor progression.
  - Local immune response stimulated by laser treatment.
3. Cost effectiveness of laser therapy in head and neck cancer patients receiving concurrent chemo-radiation.
  - Conclusion: Morbidity lower in laser group; more cost-effective than placebo.
4. Systematic review on photobiomodulation for oral mucositis in cancer patients.
  - Conclusion: Evidence supports use for preventing oral mucositis in specific patient populations undergoing chemotherapy.
5. Photobiomodulation in cancer: Further Investigations Needed.
  - Conclusion: PBM therapy may benefit cancer patients; should be further investigated.
6. Impact of PBM on patient-derived xenograft model of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
  - Conclusion: PBM did not impact model behavior; indicates safety.

**Two Perspectives on Treatment Decisions: **
- Scientific/Real World: I would use the laser on myself or family, even over tumor sites.
- Medical Legal: From a liability standpoint, recommend not using the laser on patients with cancer due to potential blame if conditions worsen.