Early hyperbaric oxygen therapy for reducing radiotherapy side effects: early results of a randomized trial in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Comparison of quality of life (QoL) and side effects in a randomized trial for early hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) after radiotherapy (RT).


METHODS
From 2006, 19 patients with tumor originating from the tonsillar fossa and/or soft palate (15), base of tongue (1), and nasopharynx (3) were randomized to receive HBOT or not. HBOT consisted of 30 sessions at 2.5 ATA (15 msw) with oxygen breathing for 90 min daily, 5 days per week, applied shortly after the RT treatment was completed. As of 2005, all patients received validated questionnaires (i.e., the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ Head and Neck Cancer Module (H&N35), Performance Status Scale): before treatment; at the start of RT treatment; after 46 Gy; at the end of RT treatment; and 2, 4, and 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after follow-up.


RESULTS
On all QoL items, better scores were obtained in patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen. The difference between HBOT vs. non-HBOT was significant for all parameters: EORTC H&N35 Swallowing (p = 0.011), EORTC H&N35 Dry Mouth (p = 0.009), EORTC H&N35, Sticky Saliva (p = 0.01), PSS Eating in Public (p = 0.027), and Pain in Mouth (visual analogue scale; p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients randomized for receiving hyperbaric oxygen after the RT had better QoL scores for swallowing, sticky saliva, xerostomia, and pain in mouth.
Teguh
David N
DN
Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center-Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Levendag
Peter C
PC
Noever
Inge
I
Voet
Peter
P
van der Est
Henrie
H
van Rooij
Peter
P
Dumans
Antoine G
AG
de Boer
Maarten F
MF
van der Huls
Michiel P C
MP
Sterk
Wouter
W
Schmitz
Paul I M
PI
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014313:Trismus / Q000517:prevention & control; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000517:prevention & control