Harnessing the healing power of hyperbaric O2

Radiation Therapy Complications

As in all therapies - not all outcomes are equally favorable. Some of those who receive radiotherapy, the tissue response is accentuated and damage to normal tissue occurs. The unpleasant effects usually settle post irradiation. In a small percentage of cases, however, the problems linger. Here is where hyperbaric oxygen therapy shines!

Radiation Therapy Complications

As in all therapies - not all outcomes are equally favorable. In a small percentage of those who receive radiotherapy, the tissue response is accentuated and damage to normal tissue occurs. The unpleasant effects usually settle post irradiation, however not in all cases.

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is one of the main methods of treating cancer. It uses machines called linear accelerators to deliver precise and focused high energy x-rays to damage or kill cancer cells. It is a powerful and well proven tool used in the battle against cancer. It has revolutionized the management of many tumors and improved the outcome of persons suffering malignancy over the past few decades and saved countless from hardship and mortality.  


What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is one of the main methods of treating cancer. It uses machines called linear accelerators to deliver precise and focused high energy x-rays to damage or kill cancer cells. It is a powerful and well proven tool used in the battle against cancer. It has revolutionized the management of many tumors and improved the outcome of persons suffering malignancy over the past few decades and saved countless from hardship and mortality.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS FROM RADIATION THERAPY?

RADIATION COMPLICATIONS AFFECT VARIOUS BODY PARTS - THEY ALL CAN BENEFIT FROM THE TISSUE REPAIR WHICH HBOT STARTS: 

HEAD & NECK  - Specialists from several fields of study use HBOT to facilitate best outcome associated with delicate surgical problems 

  • DENTAL - Radiation damage/post extraction "Dry Socket" (non healing tooth extraction site) 
  • ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON: When needs to repair collateral damage which may involve bone grafts to the irradiated tissue.  Often these surgeons request a specific treatment order known as the Marx Protocol 
  • OTOLARYNGOLOGY - More extensive surgery which may also require plastic surgery support 
  • NEUROLOGIST - Radiotherapy damage to the brain (RADIATION ENCEPHALOPATHY) or nerves (RADIATION RADICULOPATHY)
  • RADIATION ONCOLOGISTS - In the team management of any of the above problems

URINARY BLEEDING - Bleeding from the bladder, known as hemorrhagic cystitis and
other problems (pain and/or infection) following radiotherapy

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GASTROENTEROLOGY [GI] - Bleeding from the bowel    (RADIATION PROCTITIS) or intestine (RADIATION ENTERITIS)as well as pain and/or infection.

Treatment of Radiation Proctitis With Hyperbaric Oxygen ref:Clark & Evans

SKIN ULCERATION (RADIATION DERMATITIS) BONE EXPOSURE (OSTEORADIONECROSIS) AND BONE FRACTURE (PATHOLOGICAL FRACTURE) - Or bone fracture due to weakening effect of radiotherapy) 

TREATMENT OF RADIATION THERAPY COMPLICATIONS AT M02R

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, provided at MO2R, is a proven effective treatment to combat radiation complications.

In 2000 the Adult Radiotherapy Late Effects Clinic was initiated under the co-founder leadership of Dr. Wilfred Levin and Dr. Wayne Evans at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto to try and expand the range of options available to those suffering from complications of radiation therapy.

That clinic has helped hundreds of patients to date. A range of therapeutic options has been explored to meet the needs of this population.

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