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Long-Term Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation-Induced Injuries
Recent research from the University of Gothenburg has demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can provide enduring relief for patients experiencing late radiation-induced injuries, particularly after cancer treatment in the lower abdominal region. Five years post-therapy, patients continue to report significant improvements in their condition.
The use of radiation therapy is a common approach in treating various cancers, including those affecting the prostate, colon, ovaries, and cervix. While this form of treatment effectively targets and destroys tumor cells, it can also result in severe side effects for approximately 5-10% of patients. This occurs as healthy tissues are unintentionally damaged during the process.
Common symptoms associated with these side effects include urinary incontinence, unintended bleeding, and debilitating pain in the lower abdomen, which can greatly affect the patients’ quality of life both physically and socially. These issues may not manifest until years after radiation therapy, leading to chronic discomfort and escalating challenges for the affected individuals.
Previous studies have indicated that hyperbaric oxygen treatment can significantly alleviate these distressing symptoms. The current research aimed to investigate the durability of these effects over an extended period, which is crucial for evaluating the potential broader applications of this treatment modality.
Transforming Lives Through Treatment
The study began with participants suffering from severe symptoms, and those who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy showed noticeably better outcomes compared to the control group. Improvements were observed in areas such as incontinence, bleeding, and pain management, with these benefits persisting throughout the five-year follow-up period.
Nicklas Oscarsson, a senior consultant in anesthesiology and intensive care at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, served as the principal investigator for the study. He noted:
“Patients who respond positively to treatment transition from a state of significant distress and a constant need for immediate restroom access to enjoying a normal, unrestricted life. It is now established that this substantial improvement can last for at least five years, potentially leading to the resolution of what would otherwise be a chronic condition.”
The therapeutic outcomes are attributed to enhanced cellular responses to elevated oxygen levels, which promote new blood vessel growth and mitigate chronic inflammation, thereby diminishing severe side effects associated with radiation therapy.
During the treatments, participants underwent 90-minute sessions in a hyperbaric chamber over 30 to 40 occasions, with pressure levels equivalent to being 14 meters underwater. In contrast, the control group retained standard treatment protocols that typically involve medication and physiotherapy.
Potential for Broader Application
Oscarsson emphasized the need for greater awareness and referral practices for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, stating:
“There are likely many patients suffering from severe symptoms who are not referred for this treatment. We currently have the capacity to provide care to more patients, and it is essential that we enhance communication with both healthcare professionals and patient advocacy groups.”
Radiation therapy’s significant side effects remain a major limitation on the dosage of radiation that can be safely administered during cancer treatment. The availability of a treatment that effectively minimizes these adverse effects could allow for higher radiation doses, leading to improved tumor treatment outcomes. The researchers suggest that further exploration is needed to determine if early intervention through hyperbaric oxygen therapy can prevent the onset of severe side effects.
The study’s findings, published in The Lancet eClinicalMedicine, were based on detailed surveys and analyses of 70 adult participants across five university hospitals in the Nordic region, including Rigshospitalet in Denmark, Turku in Finland, Haukeland in Norway, and Karolinska and Sahlgrenska in Sweden.
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