Oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber provides relief after radiotherapy, new research has found. Radiotherapy is part of many treatment protocols of cancer in organs such as the prostate, cervix, ovaries, and colon and it may cause several side-effects linked to damage of nearby, healthy tissue such as the urinary tract, bladder, vagina, or rectum. These include frequent urge to urinate, incontinence, bleeding, and severe abdominal pain.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can relieve self-reported symptoms and side-effects of radiotherapy against cancer in the pelvic region, a study shows. After 30-40 sessions in a hyperbaric chamber, many patients experienced reductions in bleeding, urinary incontinence, and pain alike. The study has been published in The Lancet Oncology.

“This treatment is highly effective for the majority of the patients” states Nicklas Oscarsson, first author of the article, a doctoral student in anesthesiology and intensive care at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and senior consultant at Angered Hospital.”

Read the full article here: https://speciality.medicaldialogues.in/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-may-relieve-symptoms-of-side-effects-of-radiotherapy-study/