The study of the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) related to the treatment of cancer is not a new idea. Early research in the 1950's has established HBOT as potentially useful as a treatment against cancer, as a potentiator of radiation against cancer and as a treatment that reduces the damage caused by radiation. Today, we know much more about cancer, and the scientific community is able to better explain how and why we see these beneficial effects of HBOT against cancer. In fact, additional research since the 1950's has not only reaffirmed what we already knew, but has shown that HBOT when combined with some chemotherapeutic drugs, is more effective than chemotherapy alone. Very recently we learned that HBOT in combination with certain natural substances or diets has a potent anti-cancer effect. Our clinic has experienced cases of individuals having little to no side effects from chemotherapy, or palliative clients (no longer receiving standard treatments) recovering their health and strength and shrinking their tumors. What the scientific community is finding is that whatever stage of cancer we are addressing, and whatever treatment approach (whether standard or alternative) is used, HBOT is beneficial and has the potential to improve treatment outcomes.

We know that HBOT works best when accompanied by other modalities of care, and encourage each of our clients to seek additional treatments and advice instead of relying solely on HBOT for their health goals. In research studies, interventions are studied one at a time, or in sometimes the combination of two treatments. Clinically, the best results are observed when people incorporate changes in lifestyle, diet and incorporate multiple interventions at once.

Doctors that Recommend Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Cancer

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Dr. Dominic D'Agostino is a researcher and assistant professor at the University of South Florida Collage of Medicine. His recent discovery of the anti-cancer effect of the Ketogenic Diet in combination with hyperbaric oxygen therapy is gaining much attention. This brief TEDx presentation explains the basics.

• Non-Toxic Metabolic Management of Metastatic Cancer in VM Mice: Novel Combination of Ketogenic Diet, Ketone Supplementation, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (2015)
• The Ketogenic Diet and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Prolong Survival in Mice with Systemic Metastatic Cancer (2013)

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In 2012, well known hyperbaric physician Dr. Paul Harch, MD presents a lecture on the use of HBOT in the treatment of cancer. Dr. Harch is the author of The Oxygen Revolution. He is a practicing hyperbaric doctor and an active hyperbaric researcher. This presentation is technical and is best tailored to people who have a medical background.

Presentation Synopsis: HBOT in addition to conventional treatment is best. No danger of metastasis or cancer initiation.

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Dr. William Maxfield, MD, a hyperbaric medicine pioneer, presents a comprehensive powerpoint presentation that discusses MS, Cancer and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Research Links

Resources for Ketogenic Diet and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• In 2015, Dr. D'Agostino published an open-source study showing how the ketogenic diet, supplemental ketones and HBOT reduced metastasis and increased survival in a metastatic mouse model of cancer.
• A 2013 interview with Dr. Jeanne Drisko, MD on the use of IV vitamin C, the ketogenic diet and HBOT for Cancer
• In 2013, Dr. D'Agostino published an open-source study showing how the ketogenic diet in combination with HBOT increased the survival time of a metastatic mouse model by 78%. No increase in survival time was found utilizing HBOT alone. Read the press release, or the study abstract or watch a video interview with Dr. D'Agostino.

Resources for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Combination with Standard Treatment

• A 2016 Japanese case review combines HBOT with radiation and chemotherapy in glioblastoma.
• A 2013 Japanese review discusses the use of HBOT in combination with chemotherapy and radiation as a treatment for malignant brain tumors and radiation damage to the brain.
• A 2012 Australian review of the effectiveness of HBOT and radiation combined. We've known since the 1950's that radiation combined with HBOT kills 3 times the cancer cells as radiation alone.

• A 2010 study from China evaluates multiple measures when combining HBOT and chemotherapy (5-FU).
• In 2009, a Japanese study found that HBOT alone or with chemotherapy (carboplatin) decreased tumor size and reduced metastasis of osteosarcoma in mice. HBOT in combination with chemotherapy was more effective.
• In 2009 a study in Norway finds that HBOT increases the uptake of chemo (5-FU) in rat tumors.

• In 2007 a Norweigian study found that HBOT reduced the size of mammary tumors and induced apoptosis in rats more effectively than chemotherapy (5-FU) alone.
• A 2005 American review discusses the improved effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiation and photodynamic therapy when combined with HBOT.
• In 2004 a Norweigian study finds HBOT better than chemotherapy (5-FU) alone at reducing DMBA-induced rat tumors while finding that chemotherapy combined with HBOT was best.
• In a 2003 American study, researchers found that HBOT combined with chemotherapy (doxorubicin) killed more metastatic lung cancer cells than chemotherapy alone
• In 2001, a Japanese study found that HBOT alone reduced tumor size, while HBOT in combination with chemotherapy was more effective (5-FU).

Resources for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Combination with Alternative Treatment

• 2015 Austrian article discusses the molecular mechanisms of pharmacological doses of ascorbate on cancer cells in combination with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
• In 2010, Washington State University found that either Artemisinin or HBOT alone reduced the growth of human leukemia cells by 15%. When combined the growth of the cells was reduced by 37%. Read the press release or the study abstract.

Resources for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Alone

• In 2009, a Norweigian study found that HBOT reduced tumor growth in rats, "by targeting the vascular system, having anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects."
• A 2007 Norweigian study shows that "Hyperoxia retards growth and induces apoptosis and loss of glands and blood vessels in DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors."

Resources showing a reduction of side effects with Chemotherapeutic Drugs

• A 2008 Brazilian study showing protection from hearing damage caused by Cisplatin toxicity.
• A 2005 Turkish study showing protection from kidney damage caused by Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Resources showing a reduction of the side effects with Radiation Therapy

• A 1997 study showing a reduction of the side effects of brain irradiation in adolescents and children.

The Metastasis Argument

In the past, there has been considerable confusion about the role that HBOT can play in cancer treatment, especially when considering the angiogenic effect HBOT has with hypoxic tissues and whether or not this translates into an increased rate of malignancy in people who are fighting cancer. The rate at which HBOT research is coming forward is increasing, with many new exciting studies clarifying this question. There are no new studies showing any increase in cancer or metastasis following HBOT, only the reverse. Our opinion, and the opinion of other hyperbaric experts is that HBOT does not promote metastasis, it either reduces the rate of metastasis or has no effect. In addition, the research shows that HBOT has an anti-cancer effect most strongly when used in combination with mainstream treatment (chemotherapy/radiation/surgery) or alternative treatments. The research repeatedly shows that even HBOT on its own, has an anticancer effect.

Studies supporting the hypothesis that HBOT can contribute to cancer proliferation and/or metastasis:

• 1968 study (abstract unavailable)
• 1980 study (abstract unavailable)

These more recent studies argue that HBOT does not contribute to cancer proliferation and/or metastasis:

• 1997 Australian study explains that HBOT damages tumors and researchers specifically address metastasis.
  
• 2003 American review of the literature concludes that HBOT does not contribute to metastasis, in fact it can have opposite effect.
• 2007 Norweigian study shows that "Hyperoxia retards growth and induces apoptosis and loss of glands and blood vessels in DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors."
• 2009 Norweigian study found that HBOT reduced tumor growth in rats, "by targeting the vascular system, having anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects."
• 2012 Norwegian review of the literature showing more evidence that HBOT does not cause metastasis.