Delayed radiation injury can appear months or years after radiotherapy. Damage to small blood vessels and surrounding tissue may contribute to poor healing, fibrosis or tissue breakdown. Depending on the area treated, problems may involve the skin, soft tissue, jaw, bladder or other organs.
HBOT is used for selected forms of delayed radiation injury to support oxygen delivery and tissue repair. Benefits vary by the tissue affected and the particular symptoms. Research in breast-radiotherapy effects and radiation cystitis provides evidence of benefit for some patients, but these findings should not be generalized to every symptom after cancer treatment.
Assessment should establish the cause of the symptoms and whether HBOT fits the wider treatment plan. HBOT for radiation injury addresses treatment-related damage; it does not replace cancer treatment.
Conditions affecting the bladder or urinary tract that can cause pain, urgency, bleeding or other symptoms.
Cancer arising in breast tissue, with treatment tailored to the tumour type, stage and individual patient.
A group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and may invade or spread to other tissues.
Delayed brain tissue injury after radiation therapy that can cause swelling and neurological symptoms.
Late tissue damage after radiation therapy that can cause poor healing, fibrosis or tissue breakdown.
A cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that can affect bones, blood counts, kidneys and immunity.
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