“Following my Radiation for a Lumpectomy from Breast Cancer, I suffered a very heavy radiation burn with much swelling and dark red, burgundy and purple skin coloring. I suffered a constant, unrelenting burning sensation, could not wear clothes, and could not fall asleep due to pain. After treatment, the constant burning was gone and there was no scarring. I have my energy back and I am so thankful! I would not go anywhere else for true medical grade Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.”
Margaret K.

Radiation Effects and Damage

Radiation damage occurs in every tissue and organ radiated, to varying degrees, leading to a progressive obliterative endarteritis (inflammation of the insides of arteries.) that causes tissue ischemia and fibrosis.

The endarteritis, fibrosis, and hypoxia may also cause other problems: radiated bowel syndrome, radiation mucositis,  soft tissue radionecrosis, laryngeal radionecrosis, dermatitis, radiation cystitis, osteoradionecrosis, enteritis, laryngeal radionecrosis, and surgical wounding in radiation-damaged tissues (late radiation effects).

After radiation a small percentage of patients develop soft tissue or bone necrosis; progressive, disabling, painful, and potentially fatal due to tissue breakdown and loss of protective barriers.

Radiation Injury and the Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

A United States Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service “Health Technology Assessment Report on the Treatment of Soft Tissue Radionecrosis” concluded, “there is little controversy in the medical community regarding the safety and effectiveness of HBOT as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of soft tissue radionecrosis…”

Surgery in previously irradiated tissue is problematic and associated with fatalities.  Adjunctive HBOT has changed this by improving tissue healing, resolving radiation necrosis, preventing radiation necrosis, and supporting reconstructive surgery in irradiated tissues.

Mechanism of delayed healing following radiation injury involves lack of clear border of injury.  The gradual oxygen gradient is insufficient to trigger healing.  HBOT creates a steep artificial gradient, which triggers growth of new blood vessels and collagen production.

Keywords: Radiation, Effects, treatment

The information provided by Advanced Hyperbaric Recovery of Marin does not constitute a medical recommendation.
It is intended for informational purposes only, and no claims, either real or implied, are being made.