(P040) Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for Reducing Side Effects of Breast Radiation Therapy

David N. Teguh, MD, PhD, Albert van den Brink, MD, Rob A.  van Hulst, MD, PhD; Academic Medical Center, University of  Amsterdam

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To examine patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of breast cancer patients managed with hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for side effects of radiation in a university hospital. HBOT is a therapy used for delayed radiation injuries (DRIs). HBOT improves oxygenation of the tissues and promotes formation of collagen matrix and angiogenesis by administering 100% oxygen to patients under increased pressure of 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA). Published literature regarding HBOT and DRIs of the breast is still scarce.

METHODS: Breast cancer patients treated with HBOT were invited to complete quality of life questionnaires using European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) (2014). HBOT consisted of an average of 40 sessions, 5 days per week. In total, 80 minutes of 100% O₂ was delivered during a 115-minute hyperbaric session.

RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were available for evaluation. Regarding the 29 patients receiving the questionnaires, mild to no complaints were seen regarding “pain in arm” (59%), “swollen arm” (79%), “arm movements” (72%), “painful area” (76%), “swollen area” (83%), “oversensitive area” (72%), “skin problems” (79%), NRS-11 (63%), and PGIC (85%).

CONCLUSIONS: HBOT is a well-tolerated treatment for DRIs of breast cancer patients. Side effects are minimal and reversible. PROs for patients receiving HBOT are positive-on average, 70% to 80% experience mild to no complaints of DRIs. A prospective trial exploring the optimal time frame of hyperbaric treatment is warranted and will be undertaken at our university center.

Proceedings of the 98^th Annual Meeting of the American Radium Society -americanradiumsociety.org