Conditions We Treat
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has shown a great deal of promise in many areas of medicine, based on sound scientific evidence from new research. Thsi page contains links to some of the more common conditions HBO is used to treat.
HBO therapy use in cancer
Radiotherapy treatment for cancer can cause changes in the oxygen supply to tissues in the treated area. This is because radiotherapy affects normal cells and blood vessels as well as cancer cells.
The small blood vessels in the treated area can be damaged by radiotherapy treatment, causing less blood to be supplied to that area. When this happens, it becomes more difficult for essential oxygen and nutrients to reach the tissues. Over a period of time, these affected tissues may start to break down and become fragile. The tissues may form areas of open sores (ulceration) and, rarely, some tissues may eventually die off completely (radiation necrosis). These radiation injuries can occur very slowly over a number of months or even years.
Although HBO treatment has been available for a long time, its use for these effects of cancer is relatively new. Research into the use of HBO in treating the long-term side effects of radiotherapy is ongoing in the UK. However, previous studies have suggested that HBO may be effective in the following conditions:
- Chronic lymphoedema in breast cancer
- Chronic radiation cystitis
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Chronic radiation proctitis