What Researchers Did
This case report describes the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat a refractory skin ulcer in a 74-year-old Japanese female who previously underwent mastectomy and radiation therapy for breast cancer.
What They Found
The patient, a 74-year-old Japanese female, developed a refractory skin ulcer on her left chest wall 13 years after receiving a total of 100 Gy of radiation therapy following a radical mastectomy for breast cancer. She was referred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in February 2013, which was used to treat the persistent ulcer.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients experiencing refractory skin ulcers as a late complication of radiation therapy following mastectomy may consider hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a potential treatment option. This therapy could help manage chronic, difficult-to-heal wounds resulting from past cancer treatments.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it describes a case from Japan.
Study Limitations
As a case report, the findings are limited to a single patient and cannot be generalized to a broader population.