What Researchers Did
Researchers analyzed a case-series of 67 breast cancer patients with late radiation tissue injury (LRTI) to assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT).
What They Found
Of 67 patients, 57 (85%) reported at least one point improvement in their LENT-SOMA score up to 12 months after HBOT. Median pain and fibrosis scores significantly improved between the start and end of HBOT (P < 0.001), and median shoulder abduction increased significantly from 90 to 165 degrees (P = 0.001).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian breast cancer patients experiencing late radiation tissue injury may find hyperbaric oxygen treatment helpful for reducing pain, fibrosis, and swelling, and improving shoulder mobility. This treatment could offer sustained relief for up to a year after completion.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a case-series, this study lacks a control group, limiting the ability to definitively attribute improvements solely to hyperbaric oxygen treatment.