‘January, 2020’ Archive

Gynecological Cancers
Gynecological cancers are the most common cancers affecting women today.

• Cervical
• Uterine
• Ovarian
• Vulva

Did you know According to the American Cancer Society, there were an estimated 110,070 new cases diagnosed and approximately 32,120 deaths from gynecologic cancers in the U.S. in 2018.(1)

The cervix, and all it’s superior structures, are sterile.
This ultimately protects the uterine cavity and the upper genital tract by preventing bacterial invasion. This environment is maintained by the frequent shedding of the endometrium, thick cervical mucus and a narrow external os.(2)
The cervix is a hollow cylinder that connects the lower part of a woman’s uterus to her vagina.
Most cevical cancers begin in cells on the surface of the cervix placing a woman’s pelvic anatomy at risk.


Treating Post Radiation of Cervical Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Many gynecologic cancers, (especially cervical, vaginal and vulvar), are treated with external-beam radiation therapy, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
The Journal of Urology further reports in a study by;
R. Mathews, N. Rajan, N. Josefson and others, Pelvic Radiation can lead to tissue hypoxia and poor healing. (3)

Strategies for managing pain and other clinical symptoms of post radiation have limited efficacy, however, HBOT may be an effective option for many pelvic patients.

According to Science Direct “a leading platform of peer reviewed literature” in Urology, Volume 65, Issue 4, clinical data reports positive responses when patients are treated with HBOT where there is tissue hypoxia and poor healing from radiation.
These positive rates range from 76% to 100%.
Additional reporting of a group after eleven years documents 74% of patients had no recurrence of symptoms.
This document also tells us that early (within 6 months) use of HBOT, post pelvic radiation has a greater therapeutic response rate to relieve symptoms of late radiation tissue injury (LRTI) and organ injury. (4)

In this extensive article written by authors; P. Craighead, M.A. Shea, J. Nation MD. Esmail, et al, they discuss pelvic radiation in women, the doses of radiation and the areas that can result in long term complications. The mechanics of LRTI are only partially understood. One major theory suggests that radiation causes progressive small blood vessel-stunting resulting in cellular hypoxia and damage which inhibits the ability of the irradiated tissue to repair itself, resulting in non-healing ulcers.
Their/this study showed positive therapeutic effects with HBOT for LRTI of the pelvis, and several other studies suggest that HBOT may be beneficial for improving quality of life in patients with radiation toxicity after treatment for pelvic malignancy.

• HBOT increases Stem Cell Growth.(5)
• HBOT significantly reduces swelling and improves blood supply. (6)
• HBOT significantly reduces edema.(7)
• HBOT significantly shortens the inflammatory process.
• Neovascularization or angiogenesis; the growth of new blood vessels, are another very important aspect of HBOT. HBOT/Angiogenesis has several clinical applications for wound healing. (8)

In a 2008 study, authors, Clarke RE, Tenorio LM, Hussey JR, et al. from the Baromedical Research Foundation in Columbia, SC included long-term follow-up to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen for pelvic radiation.In determining the effect of HBOT on radiation-induced soft tissue necrosis in patients who previously received treatment for a gynecologic malignancy, fourteen patients whose necrotic wounds failed to heal after 3 months of conservative therapy were enrolled in a prospective observational study. These women underwent 15 sessions of HBOT treatments.

All those with radiation necrosis of the vagina alone or in association with rectovaginal fistula had complete resolution of necrosis with hyperbaric oxygen. (9)

Furthermore, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oncology Division and Department of Radiotherapy in Jakarta Indonesia, a team of scientists; Sidik S, Hardjodisastro D, Setiabudy R, et al, evaluated quality of life resulting from HBOT after pelvic radiation. Their study concluded that HBOT decreased acute and late side effects, improving the quality of life of all their patients with pelvic radiation. (10)



Please watchGlenda share “getting her life back,” after vaginal cancer with HBOT.
HBOT is covered by most Insurance Carriers for Late Radiation Injury.
The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society has a list of approved indications for HBO therapy, including nonhealing wounds, and late radiation injury. (11)
Please check with your insurance and consider this remarkable medicine today.
Call us today for more information or to schedule a consultation with our Medical Hyperbaric Physician.
1118 Irwin St. San Rafael, CA 94901
415-785-8652

Advanced Hyperbaric Medical Director, Jacqueline S. Chan, DO
Hyperbaric Physician is Board Certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
and Family Practice

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