What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treating hemorrhagic radiation cystitis (HRC) in patients from January 2005 to January 2017.
What They Found
Among 67 patients with hemorrhagic radiation cystitis, 76.1% showed a response to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), with 50.7% achieving total remission and 25.4% partial remission. Patients with less severe hematuria, those receiving over 30 HBOT sessions, and those not requiring transfusion or hospitalization responded significantly better. No adverse effects were reported.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients experiencing hemorrhagic radiation cystitis after pelvic radiation may find hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to be an effective treatment option for reducing hematuria. Discussing HBOT with their urologist could be beneficial, especially if their condition is less severe or they can commit to multiple sessions.
Canadian Relevance
This study was conducted in a reference center outside of Canada, and no specific Canadian connection or data was reported.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective study, this research is limited by its observational nature and potential for selection bias.