An observational trial to establish the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on pelvic late radiation tissue injury due to radiotherapy.

INTRODUCTION

Rates of pelvic cancer are growing globally with around half of these patients receiving radiotherapy. In a small proportion, radiotherapy results in significant late radiation tissue injury (LRTI) to surrounding tissue, most commonly affecting the bladder and bowel mucosa. We conducted a combined prospective and retrospective observational trial to establish the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) in improving the symptoms and signs of LRTI in these patients.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients were included after receiving radiotherapy for cancers of the bowel, bladder, cervix, prostate or vulva. They received HBOT at 203-243 kPa (2.0-2.4 atmospheres absolute (atm abs)) for 90 minutes with the median number of treatments being 30 (IQR 1). Late effects normal tissues - subjective, objective, management, analytic (LENT-SOMA) scores were recorded before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The mean LENT-SOMA scores before and after HBOT were 11.7 (SD 5.3) and 8.1 (5.1) respectively. This reduction in score of 3.7 (95% CI 2.6 to 4.8) was statistically significant (P < 0.001). For radiation cystitis the mean reduction was 3.7 (95% CI 2.4 to 5.0, P < 0.001) and for radiation proctitis was 3.8 (95% CI 1.4 to 6.1, P = 0.004). There were no significant adverse effects recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment may be an effective and safe treatment for pelvic late tissue radiation injury.