What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 335 patients with Stage IIb and III cervical carcinoma to compare radiotherapy with or without hyperbaric oxygen, using two different fractionation regimes.
What They Found
The study found no benefit in tumour control when hyperbaric oxygen was used as an adjunct to radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Instead, there was an increase in late radiation morbidity, particularly late intestinal morbidity with an alpha/beta ratio of 4.3 Gy, when hyperbaric oxygen was administered.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with Stage IIb and III cervical carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy should not expect improved outcomes from hyperbaric oxygen, as this study showed no tumour control advantage and increased late radiation side effects. This suggests that hyperbaric oxygen is not a beneficial adjunct to radiotherapy for this patient population and should be avoided to prevent additional morbidity.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is that it was conducted between 1971 and 1980, meaning its findings may not fully reflect current radiotherapy practices and technologies.