What Researchers Did
Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in 62 patients with radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis at a single institution.
What They Found
Of 57 evaluable patients, 49 (86%) experienced complete resolution or marked improvement of hematuria following hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Patients received an average of 33 treatments, with primary pathological conditions being prostate cancer (81%) and bladder cancer (10%).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients suffering from radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis may find hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be an effective treatment for resolving or significantly improving hematuria. This could offer a valuable option for managing a challenging long-term complication of pelvic radiation.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study was a single-institution evaluation with a relatively small sample size and some patients prematurely terminated treatment.