Hyperbaric Oxygenation Treatment and Quality of Life

Osteoradionecrosis, dermal soft tissue necrosis, radiation cystitis, proctitis and sexual dysfunctions are well-known late-effects after radiation for cancer in the pelvic area, negatively affecting the survivors' quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial wellbeing. Increasing evidence and clinical practice support the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) as an effective treatment in a variety of radiation injuries, but this is still a field with limited research and knowledge. Especially, there is a knowledge gap on how late radiation tissue injury (LRTI) influences cancer survivors' QOL and psychosocial health in a longitudinal perspective (before, along and after HBOT), as well as the patients' knowledge, expectation and experience from this treatment. This study aims to improve knowledge on these issues.