Tahir AR, Westhuyzen J, Dass J, Collins MK, Webb R, Hewitt S, Fon P, McKay M, et al.
Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology. Date of publication 2015 Mar 1;volume 11(1):68-77.
1. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2015 Mar;11(1):68-77. doi: 10.1111/ajco.12289. Epub 2014
Nov 9.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic radiation-induced tissue injuries:
Australasia's largest study.
Tahir AR(1), Westhuyzen J, Dass J, Collins MK, Webb R, Hewitt S, Fon P, McKay M.
Author information:
(1)Division of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne,
Victoria, Australia; North Coast Cancer Institute, Coffs Harbour, Australia.
AIM: Chronic radiation injuries, although uncommon, are associated with poor
quality of life in oncology patients. The present study assesses the efficacy and
safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of chronic
radiation-induced tissue injuries.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 276 consecutive patients
treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic radiation-induced tissue
injuries at the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Townsville, Queensland, between March
1995 and March 2008. Of these patients, 189 (68%) had complete follow-up data and
were assessed.
RESULTS: A total of 265 events of chronic radiation tissue injury were
experienced by the 189 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Osteoradionecrosis prophylaxis due to radiation-induced dental disease had an
overall response rate of 96% (P=0.00003; Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank
test). The overall response rates for established osteoradionecrosis of mandible,
soft tissue necrosis of head and neck, and xerostomia were 86% (P=0.00001), 85%
(P=0.002) and 64% (P=0.0001), respectively. The overall response rates for soft
tissue necrosis at other sites, chronic radiation proctitis and hemorrhagic
cystitis were 84% (P=0.03), 95% (P=0.0001) and 85% (P=0.03), respectively. The
total complication rate after hyperbaric oxygen therapy was 15.9%, comprising
reversible ear barotrauma (10.6%), reversible ocular barotrauma (4.2%), dental
complications (0.5%) and myocardial infarction (0.5%).
CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be
effectively used in a variety of chronic radiation-induced tissue injuries; its
favorable risk profile suggests it should be considered for patients with
radiation-induced tissue injuries.
© 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.
DOI: 10.1111/ajco.12289
PMID: 25382755 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
