Glover, M., Smerdon, G.R., Andreyev, H.J., Benton, B.E., Bothma, P., Firth, O., . . . Yarnold, J. (2016). Hyperbaric oxygen for patients with chronic bowel dysfunction after pelvic radiotherapy (HOT2): A randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncology, 17, 224–233.
To determine the clinical benefit of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the management of bowel dysfunction in patients who receive radiation therapy to the pelvis
Study of patients with chronic gastrointestinal problems for greater than 12 months post radiation therapy in spite of optimal medical management. Patients received either hyperbaric oxygen therapy or sham.
PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship
Double-blinded, sham-controlled, phase 3, randomized trial
No difference between treatment groups existed.
In this patient group, no improvement using hyperbaric oxygen versus sham occurred.
Large randomized, phase 3 studies are required before any conclusions can be made about the use of hyperbaric oxygen in patients with bowel dysfunction after radiation therapy.