What role does HBOT play in breast cancer and radiation effects?
Since the early 1970’s radical surgery for Stage I Breast Cancer has changed significantly. At this time major surgery is rarely done since it is well understood that malignancy of the breast is a systemic disease and the role of chemotherapy a major one. Due to the common use of mammography and directed breast biopsy, breast cancer is discovered much earlier now. The usual treatment of Stage I Cancer is lumpectomy and primary radiotherapy to the breast and axilla. The radiation is usually well tolerated initially. Acute inflammatory skin changes may be seen but usually do not require HBOT to prevent permanent damage. HBOT will help with the resolution of the inflammation if it is readily available and affordable. The major radiation injury to the skin is chronic and results in fibrosis and narrowing of the small blood vessels. This results in a lowered amount of molecular oxygen in the tissues and may be easily demonstrated with tissue oxygen measurement. If the patient experiences a
