Chronic radiation proctitis treated with hyperbaric oxygen
Warren, D.C.; Feehan, P.; Slade, J.B.; Cianci, P.E.
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Inc 24(3): 181-184
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 1066-2936 PMID: 9308141 Document Number: 477591
Chronic proctitis is a well-known complication of therapeutic irradiation. The results of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO-2) used in the treatment of chronic radiation proctitis are reported. From 1992 to 1995, 14 patients with chronic radiation-induced proctitis were treated with HBO-2. Nine patients were treated in a monoplace chamber at 2.0 atm abs (203 kPa O-2), and five patients were treated at 2.36 atm abs (239 kPa O-2). Eight patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms and one patient had substantial improvement for a total response rate of 64%. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 35 mo. (mean 17 mo.). Five patients (36%) were classified as non-responders. Three experienced significant improvement during treatment but relapsed soon after therapy was discontinued, whereas two had no symptomatic improvement. Responders who had sigmoidoscopy after therapy showed documented improvement whereas no non-responders showed improvement. The authors conclude that HBO, therapy should be considered in patients with chronic radiation proctitis.