Does hyperbaric oxygen have a cancer-causing or -promoting effect? A review of the pertinent literature. | Canada Hyperbarics Skip to main content
Review Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc 1994

Does hyperbaric oxygen have a cancer-causing or -promoting effect? A review of the pertinent literature.

Feldmeier JJ, Heimbach RD, Davolt DA, Brakora MJ, Sheffield PJ, Porter AT — Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc, 1994

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers conducted a literature review of published reports and studies from 1960-1993 to investigate a possible cancer-causing or growth-enhancing effect of hyperbaric oxygen.

What They Found

Researchers identified 24 references, comprising 12 clinical reports and 11 animal studies, to assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen on cancer. The majority of these reports, specifically 10 out of 13 clinical reports and 10 out of 12 animal studies, found no cancer growth enhancement, while only 3 clinical and 2 animal studies suggested a positive effect.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection as it is a literature review without specific Canadian data or authors.

Study Limitations

A limitation of this review is its reliance on literature published only up to 1993, potentially missing more recent findings on hyperbaric oxygen and cancer.

This plain-language summary is generated with AI assistance and checked against the source abstract before publication. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type Review
Category Systematic Reviews
Source Pubmed
PubMed ID 8000286
Year Published 1994
Journal Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc
MeSH Terms Animals; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Oxygen; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: April 2, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology