Hyperbaric oxygen in the radiation treatment of head and neck cancers.

Abstract

Published reports on the use of hyperbaric oxygen in the radiation therapy of head and neck cancer are reviewed. The weight of evidence, from randomised trials, is that it is of clinical value in the control of medium sized head and neck tumours. It is also of value in the treatment of lymph node disease. Four attempts to improve the results of the treatment, by various physiological measures, are reviewed. It is concluded that hyperbaric oxygen may be of use when combined with nitroimidazoles as a radiation sensitiser and warrants further study when combined with induced anaemia, aimed to reduce the tumour cord and prevent repopulation between fractions.