Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a specialized form of treatment used to promote healing in patients with non-healing wounds. During a treatment session, patients relax inside the pressurized hyperbaric chamber while breathing in pure oxygen. Studies have also demonstrated that HBOT therapy can also have a beneficial impact on some types of complications resulting from radiation therapy. Although targeted radiation therapy is effective at shrinking or slowing the growth of tumors, it can sometimes cause side effects that appear weeks, months, or even years after treatment ends. One such side effect is the death of otherwise healthy tissue due to radiation exposure.
Common Types of Delayed Effects of Radiation Damage
- Soft Tissue Radionecrosis – Painful, swollen, and non-healing ulcers in soft tissue.
- Osteoradionecrosis – Most often affects the jawbone as a side effect of radiation for head or neck cancers.
- Radiation Cystitis – Occurs after radiation to the pelvic region (e.g., uterine, bladder, prostate, ovarian, colon cancers); may cause bleeding, urinary discomfort, incontinence, ulcers, tissue damage, and pain due to inflammation.
- Radiation Proctitis – Can result from radiation to treat pelvic cancers (e.g., cervical, prostate, rectal, anal); may cause bleeding, ulcers, and bowel movement issues.
These complications can significantly impact quality of life. For example, radiation proctitis and radiation cystitis can cause bleeding severe enough to require blood transfusions. In other cases, tissue breakdown may lead to higher risk of infections.
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Can Help
The specially designed environment of the HBOT chamber allows oxygen to dissolve more efficiently into the bloodstream and reach areas where normal blood flow is limited with the potential benefits:
- Increased oxygen delivery to damaged tissues
- Enhanced production of white blood cells, which fight infection and aid healing
- Stimulation of new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis)
- Improved tissue regeneration and wound healing
- Support for the body’s natural healing processes
What to Expect with HBOT
Healing with HBOT takes time. Most patients undergo treatment multiple times per week for several weeks, depending on the severity of their condition and individual response. With the proper diagnosis and a treatment plan including HBOT, many patients experience improved comfort, function, and quality of life.
If you or a loved one are experiencing lingering symptoms after radiation therapy, talk to your doctor about whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be right for you.
