How HBOT Can Help Treat Radiation Cystitis
Radiation cystitis is a delayed effect that can appear months or even years after radiation therapy to the pelvic area. In this video, Dr. Michael Cascio of Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics explains how radiation can injure the bladder, what symptoms patients may notice, and how hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used in appropriate patients with radiation-related bladder injury.
Chief Medical Officer | Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics
- Board Certified – Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine (UHM)
- Certified Wound Specialist (CWS)
- Board Certified – Family Medicine
About This Video
Dr. Cascio begins with when radiation cystitis can appear. It is a condition that can occur months or even years after radiation therapy to the pelvic area, often for cancers such as prostate, bladder, cervical, or colorectal cancer. He explains the mechanism in plain terms: radiation can damage the small blood vessels that supply the bladder, which leads to reduced oxygen, poor tissue health, and a fragile lining of the bladder.
He then describes what patients may notice. Symptoms may include blood in the urine, frequent urination, pain or burning with urination, and sometimes difficulty controlling the bladder. In more severe cases, he notes, bleeding can become persistent and very difficult to manage. That is the context for the rest of the video, which is about what hyperbaric oxygen therapy may offer patients with radiation-related bladder injury.
HBOT delivers 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which allows oxygen to dissolve more effectively into the bloodstream and reach damaged bladder tissue. Dr. Cascio explains that the increased oxygen may stimulate the growth of new healthy blood vessels in the bladder, improve oxygen delivery to damaged tissue, promote healing of the bladder lining, reduce inflammation and bleeding, and strengthen tissue to help prevent further injury. Over time, he says, these effects can reduce symptoms, decrease bleeding, and improve bladder function and quality of life, and he closes by describing what treatment involves: painless, non-invasive sessions that typically last about 90 minutes, a schedule that most patients follow once daily, five days a week, and a full course that can include about 30 to 40 sessions depending on how a patient responds. Ear pressure similar to air travel is possible and can usually be relieved by swallowing or yawning, and the team monitors patients closely throughout each session.
Key Takeaways
- 01
Radiation cystitis can occur months or even years after radiation therapy to the pelvic area, often for cancers such as prostate, bladder, cervical, or colorectal cancer.
- 02
Radiation can damage the small blood vessels that supply the bladder, leading to reduced oxygen, poor tissue health, and a fragile lining of the bladder.
- 03
Symptoms may include blood in the urine, frequent urination, pain or burning with urination, and sometimes difficulty controlling the bladder.
- 04
Dr. Cascio notes that in more severe cases, bleeding can become persistent and very difficult to manage.
- 05
HBOT delivers 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which allows oxygen to dissolve more effectively into the bloodstream and reach damaged bladder tissue.
- 06
The increased oxygen may stimulate the growth of new healthy blood vessels in the bladder, improve oxygen delivery to damaged tissue, promote healing of the bladder lining, reduce inflammation and bleeding, and strengthen tissue to help prevent further injury.
- 07
Over time, these effects can reduce symptoms, decrease bleeding, and improve bladder function and quality of life, Dr. Cascio explains.
- 08
Sessions are painless and non-invasive and typically last about 90 minutes. Most patients are treated once daily, five days a week, and a full course can include about 30 to 40 sessions depending on how a patient responds, with the team monitoring closely throughout each session.
Full Video Transcript
The full video, transcribed. Dr. Michael Cascio is the only speaker.
Today I’d like to explain how hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, can help treat radiation cystitis. Hello, I’m Dr. Mike Cascio, and I’m the chief medical officer of Hill Country Wound Care and Hyperbarics.
Radiation cystitis is a condition that can occur months or even years after radiation therapy to the pelvic area, often for cancer such as prostate, bladder, cervical, or colorectal cancer. Radiation can damage the small blood vessels that supply the bladder, leading to reduced oxygen, poor tissue health, and fragile lining of the bladder.
Symptoms may include blood in the urine, frequent urination, pain or burning with urination, and sometimes difficulty controlling the bladder. In more severe cases, bleeding can become persistent and very difficult to manage.
HBOT works by delivering 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This allows oxygen to dissolve more effectively into the bloodstream and reach damaged bladder tissue. The increased oxygen helps in several important ways. It stimulates the growth of new healthy blood vessels in the bladder. It improves oxygen delivery to damaged tissue. It promotes healing of the bladder lining, reduces inflammation and bleeding, and it strengthens tissue and helps prevent further injury.
Over time, these effects can reduce symptoms, decrease bleeding, and improve bladder function and quality of life.
So, what can patients expect? HBOT is painless and non-invasive. You’ll lie comfortably in a specialized chamber while breathing pure oxygen. Each treatment typically lasts about 90 minutes. Most patients receive treatments once daily, 5 days a week, and a full course can include about 30 to 40 sessions, really depending on how you respond.
During treatment, you may feel fullness or pressure in your ears, similar to what you would feel during air travel, which can usually be relieved by swallowing or yawning. Our team will monitor you very closely throughout each session.
The goal of HBOT is to promote healing of the bladder, reduce bleeding and irritation, and improve your comfort and daily function. If you have any questions, our team will be happy to guide you through the process. Thank you.
Learn More About Radiation Cystitis and HBOT
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Cystitis in San Antonio
A written explanation of radiation cystitis, how it can develop after pelvic radiation therapy, and how hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used for appropriate patients.
Radiation Injuries
How our physicians evaluate and treat tissue damaged by radiation therapy, including the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for appropriate patients.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hill Country's overview of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, how HBOT works, and how it may be used as part of a physician-led treatment plan.
How HBOT Can Help Prevent and Treat Osteoradionecrosis
Dr. Cascio explains another delayed effect of radiation therapy, osteoradionecrosis, and how hyperbaric oxygen therapy may support radiated bone and tissue.
Could HBOT Be Right for Radiation Cystitis?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for specific medical indications, and not every patient is a candidate. A physician evaluation can help determine whether HBOT may be appropriate for a patient’s radiation-related bladder injury and how it would fit into a broader treatment plan. Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics provides physician-led care across Greater San Antonio. Medicare and most major insurance plans are accepted.