Radiation Complications
Therapeutic Radiation and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Tumors (benign and malignant) are an increasingly common problem in modern times, especially in developed societies. Their frequency increases with older ages and one of the achievements of our time is that more and more people reach old age, while also elements of today's "western" lifestyle (habits) are blamed for this phenomenon. Thus, several cases appear at younger ages.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization in 2020 there will be 16 million / year new cases of cancer worldwide. And although we do not fully understand this disease in order to discover a cure or a way to cure it, important steps have been taken to treat it. So today, several forms of cancer are recognized that are treatable with the existing means and in several other cases the cancer patients with the appropriate treatment live almost the same years of life as the healthy ones. Treatment aims to fight the disease, but it is equally important to ensure quality of life.
In the arsenal that we have today for fighting against cancer, Radiotherapy holds a special place. It is a method of treatment that has been used for about 100 years, and in recent decades, with the improvement of technology, it is used more often, with very good results. In other cases it has a place as a basic treatment of the tumor, while in others it acts as an adjunct. Thus, a total of 50% of cancer patients (1 in 2) receive Radiotherapy at some stage of their disease. Especially in some categories of tumors (such as tumors of the head - neck) is an elite method of treatment with excellent results while giving the option to avoid amputations.
Indicatively, classic cases where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is indicated with very good results, are:
- Osteoradionecrosis as the main treatment or together with surgery in extensive lesions
- To prevent Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw before and after tooth extraction or implant placement and other surgeries
- Metastatic Hemorrhagic Cystitis, where it leads to cessation of bleeding from the bladder in a large percentage (from 60% - 95% of cases) and restoration of the way and quality of life
- Non-healing Skin Metastatic Lesions, such as radiation to the lower extremities or radiation therapy for breast tumors, especially in cases where preoperative plastic surgery is followed as well as in cases where this has already been placed and the end result is threatened
- Lymphedema, usually of the upper extremity in women with breast cancer, from a combination of surgical removal of the tumor, lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. Leads to increased limb function and protection - healing of skin lesions, as part of a more comprehensive treatment
- Metastatic proctitis - enteritis
- Metastatic Disorders Concerning Nervous Tissue (Brain or Spinal Cord or Peripheral Nerves)
- Re-irradiation (of the same area) due to tumor recurrence, where it prepares the area by preventing the appearance of lesions from the effect of the 2nd cycle of Radiotherapy
- Preparation of irradiated tissues for surgery on the irradiated area, if required.