[Management of hemorrhagic radiation cystitis with hyperbaric oxygen therapy]

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for late radiation-induced tissue toxicity in treated gynaecological cancer patients: a systematic review

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the result of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in women with treated gynaecological malignancies who suffer from late radiation-induced tissue toxicity (LRITT). Moreover, which symptoms of LRITT benefit most from HBOT was evaluated as well.

Material and Methods

An online literature search was conducted using PubMed; Embase and the Cochrane Library. Studies were included if the study examined gynaecological cancer patients who had been treated with radiotherapy, who suffered from LRITT and who subsequently received HBOT. In addition, the outcome measures were based on examining the effects of HBOT.

Results

Twenty-one articles were included. The study investigating proctitis reported an improvement and three out of four studies investigating cystitis reported decreased complaints in women treated for gynaecological malignancies. In addition, all studies reported improvement in patients with wound complications and fifty percent of the studies reported better Patient Reported Outcome Measurements (PROMS) in women with gynaecological malignancies. Finally, all studies, except one related to pelvic malignancies reported reduced prevalence of symptoms for cystitis and proctitis and all studies reported better PROMS. However, only eleven studies reported p-values, nine of which were significant.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that HBOT has a positive effect in women with gynaecological LRITT. Within the included patient group, gynaecological cancer patients with wound complications seem to benefit most from this treatment compared to other late side effects of LRITT.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13014-022-02067-6.

Hyperbaric oxygen for radiation-induced cystitis: A long-term follow-up

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Bladder complications may be seen in up to 12% of patients treated with pelvic irradiation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an option for the management of radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (RIHC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of HBOT in radiation cystitis and to identify the predictive factors for a successful outcome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients diagnosed with RIHC which were treated with HBOT between 2007 and 2016 in our institution. Patients received 100% oxygen in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber at 2.4atm for 80minutes. All patients fulfilled a questionnaire documenting symptom severity pre-HBOT and at the end of the follow-up period.

RESULTS

After a median of 40 HBOT sessions, there was success rate of 92,4% in the control of hematuria. During our follow-up period (median of 63 months) 24,7% patients presented with recurrence of hematuria. The mean score of the questionnaire-assessed variables: dysuria, urinary frequency and hematuria, was significantly lower after the follow-up period (P<.05). Our data shows that the sooner HBOT is delivered after the first episode of hematuria, better response rates are achieved and lower recurrences concerning hematuria were registered (P<.05). No serious complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the safety and long-term benefits of HBOT on RIHC and other distressful bladder symptoms, which represents an expected improvement of quality of life in our patients.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radiation cystitis after pelvic radiotherapy: Systematic review of the recent literature

The present study assessed the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in reducing symptoms of radiation cystitis, a specific type of iatrogenic injury to the bladder, by systematic review of recent literature. The MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched using combinations of the terms "radiation," "cystitis" and "hyperbaric oxygen" to identify articles evaluating patients with radiation cystitis, treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Only recent (≤10 years) original studies were included. Data were extracted and pooled in order to calculate descriptive weighted averages. Articles were evaluated on their level of evidence. A total of 20 papers were obtained, resulting in a cohort of 815 patients who were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radiation cystitis. Overall and complete response rates varied from 64.8% to 100% and 20% to 100%, respectively. The weighted average overall and complete response rates were 87.3% and 65.3%, respectively. Adverse events were observed in 9.6% of the patients, but permanent side-effects were rare. The most prominent limitations were high cost and low availability. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective in the treatment of radiation-induced cystitis, with minimal adverse events, but low availability and high cost. At present, evidence is low; therefore, more prospective studies are required.

[Prognostic factors of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in hemorrhagic radiation cystitis]

OBJECTIVE

To emphasize prognostic factors of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on hematuria at 3 and 12 months in the context of a radiation cystitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cohort of 134 patients was treated from 2008 to 2013 in the hyperbaric medicine center of Toulouse University Hospital, France for radiation cystitis. Hematuria was ranked using the SOMA score. HBOT has been applied according to a standardized protocol of 20 renewable sessions, with pure oxygen to 2.5 ATA. The median number of sessions at 12 months was 50.

RESULTS

HBOT had an efficacy of 83% at 3 months and 81% at 12 months. Twenty percent of patients had minor side effects. Compared to the pre-HBOT period, the number of hospitalizations decreased by 75% following treatment. The efficacy at 3 months was predictive of efficacy at 12 months (P<0.0001). There was an inverse correlation between the initial grade and efficacy at 3 months (P=0.026) and 12 months (P=0.001). A high WHO status diminished HBOT efficacy at 3 and 12 months (P=0.0014 and P<0.0001, respectively). An anticoagulant intake decreased the HBOT response at 12 months (P=0.002). Other parameters had no effects on efficacy.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy at 3 months seems to be predictive of efficacy at 12 months. The initial hematuria grade is inversely correlated with efficacy at 3 and 12 months. It appears necessary to achieve at least 32 HBOT sessions. Moreover, a high WHO status and an anticoagulant intake seem to have a negative prognostic value.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Hyperbaric oxygen for long-term complications of radiation cystitis

Introduction

Bladder complications may be seen in up to 12% of patients treated with pelvic irradiation. To report the long-term efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on radiation-induced cystitis.

Methods

We followed 70 patients diagnosed with radiation cystitis submitted to HBOT in our institution from 2007 to 2013. All patients answered a questionnaire documenting symptom severity pre-HBOT and at the end of the follow-up period using the Late Effects of Normal Tissues – Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytical (LENT-SOMA) scale. Our treatment protocol consisted of multiple sessions (median of 40) of 100% oxygen delivery in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber at 2·4 atm for 80 minutes.

Results

With a median follow-up of 55·5 (4–85) months, the success rate after the follow-up period in terms of haematuria resolution or improvement was 91·4%. The mean score of each subjective variable of LENT-SOMA scale (dysuria, frequency, haematuria, incontinence) were significantly lower after the follow-up period (p<0·05) with the exception of decreased stream (p=0·14). The sum of all subjective scores of LENT-SOMA scale was also significantly lower after the follow-up period (p<0·05). No serious complications were observed.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the safety and long-term benefits of HBOT on haemorrhagic radiation cystitis and other distressful bladder symptoms.

Systematic review of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of non-neurological soft tissue radiation-related injuries

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper was to provide an evidence-based evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for the treatment of non-neurological soft tissue radiation-related injuries (STRI).

METHODS

Systematic searches of medical bibliographic databases, the Internet, and lists of references were conducted in December 2010 and April 2013 to identify relevant primary studies. Inclusion and classification of papers was resolved through the application of a predetermined protocol. Information on both the safety and effectiveness of HBOT was analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty-one articles were included, with 11 comparing HBOT to a regimen without HBOT. Comparative evidence varied considerably in methodological quality, and numerous limitations were identified. Absolute data showed that serious adverse events after HBOT were rare, while more common adverse events were minor and self-limiting. Compared to observation, conventional, or sham therapies, evidence of benefit in clinical outcomes was shown for HBOT for radiation proctitis and wounds in irradiated soft tissue of the head and neck, but not for postirradiation soft tissue edema or radiation cystitis. Clinical outcomes differed little between HBOT and argon plasma coagulation for radiation proctitis and between HBOT and hyaluronic acid for radiation cystitis.

CONCLUSIONS

HBOT is a safe intervention which may offer clinical benefits to patients suffering from radiation proctitis and non-neurological STRI of the head and neck. However, differing clinical responses across STRI demonstrate a need for further well-designed clinical trials to validate the use of HBOT for individual STRI, both as an adjunct to conventional treatments and relative to definitive treatments.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in case of hemorrhagic cystitis after radiotherapy

INTRODUCTION

We present the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) after radiotherapy for cancer in the pelvic cavity resulting in hematuria. Increasing the pressure of oxygen (PO2) in ischemic tissues favors the formation of new blood vessels and increases the secretion of collagen.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We evaluated 10 patients who were treated with HBOT from October 2006 to December 2010 due to persistent radiation damage to the lining of the bladder leading to recurrent hematuria. The study group was comprised of seven men and three women. In the case of cervical and endometrial cancers, 30 Gy of brachytherapy with 45-50 Gy of teleradiotherapy were used. In prostate cancer (PCa), we applied 50 Gy of teleradiotherapy with an additional dose of 20-24 Gy, and in the case of bladder cancer (BCa), 50 Gy of teleradiotherapy was applied with an additional dose of 16 Gy. HBOT consisted of 60 HBO2 treatments, in which patients were administered 100% oxygen at a pressure of 2.5 atm.

RESULTS

The group effect of total or partial resolution was observed in six patients. In one case, treatment was discontinued due to an increase in hematuria and the consequent suspicion of bladder tumor recurrence. While in and additional three cases, the treatment did not produce the desired result.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis is a difficult therapeutic challenge. One possible method is the implementation of HBOT. In very difficult cases, HBO2 treatment appears to be effective in giving more than half of patients a chance of getting better.