Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Injury
What is Radiation Injury?
Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer, but it can also damage nearby healthy tissue. This is called a radiation injury. The injury can become obvious during treatment, but for others it can appear months or years later.
Radiation injuries affect different parts of the body depending on where treatment was given. For example, the skin, soft tissues, breast, bladder, bowel, mouth or jaw may be damaged. The injury can lead to pain, bleeding, slow-to-heal wounds, or stiffness.
In many cases, radiation injury reduces the blood supply to the affected tissue, which can make recovery more difficult..
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing high-concentration oxygen through a mask in a pressurised chamber.
This allows more oxygen to dissolve into the bloodstream and reach tissues with reduced blood supply.
Oxygen plays a key role in many normal processes within the body, including healing and recovery. By increasing oxygen availability, HBOT can support tissue repair, collagen production, new blood vessel formation, and the body’s immune responses that help manage infection.
By reducing substances in the body that drive inflammation (inflammatory cytokines), HBOT may also help to ease swelling and discomfort.
HBOT is always used in addition to standard medical treatment, not as a replacement.
When HBOT May Be Considered for Radiation Injury
The radiation therapy attacks the cancer cells but it can also damage the surrounding healthy tissue. The radiation damages the small blood vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the affected tissues.
HBOT may be considered as part of a wider care plan where radiation-related symptoms are ongoing, healing is slow, or tissue damage has continued despite standard treatment. By allowing more oxygen to dissolve into the blood, HBOT may help support the body’s natural healing processes, even where circulation has been affected.
It is commonly used for late radiation tissue injury, where reduced blood supply limits the body’s ability to repair affected areas.
HBOT may be recommended by a clinician to support tissue recovery in these situations.
Use of HBOT for Radiation
HBOT is an established supportive treatment for certain types of radiation injury. It is an FDA (US food and drug regulator), European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine and HSE recognised supportive treatment.
https://www.uhms.org/resources/featured-resources/hbo-indications.html
OxyGeneration provides HBOT in a calm clinical environment, delivered by a trained and experienced team.
Some clients are referred by a healthcare professional, but self-referral is also welcomed. All clients complete a screening questionnaire to check suitability. In some situations, we may ask clients to confirm suitability with their GP or medical specialist before proceeding.
For radiation injury, a course of 20–40 sessions is typical, although the number recommended will depend on individual circumstances and response to treatment.
OxyGeneration does not provide emergency medical treatment. We do not diagnose or manage medical conditions, and HBOT is not a replacement for standard medical care. Clients remain under the supervision of their GP or consultant for the management of their condition. As with all treatments, outcomes can vary from person to person.
If you would like to find out more about HBOT and whether it might be appropriate for you, please contact our team for more information.
What to Expect at OxyGeneration
Important Information
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not suitable for everyone.
Please visit our Suitability page for further information.
Testimonial
“Since my brain tumour and cancer treatment, I had difficulties with my balance and eyesight. Abnormal blood vessels often leak at the back of my eyes and I would need treatment. Now that I have started hyperbaric oxygen therapy, I haven’t had any leaks in my eyes and have better balance. I am also continuing to attend OxyGeneration once a week to keep improving my health.”
— Katie Joyce, Post-Radiation Injury
Do You Have Any Questions?
For more information or support, please contact OxyGeneration at 091 394444.
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