Hyperbaric oxygen-A new horizon in treating cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis

Hemorrhagic cystitis consists of acute or insidious diffuse bleeding from the bladder mucosa. It can be caused by radiation, drugs, autoimmune diseases, viral and bacterial infections, etc. Hemorrhagic cystitis is a well-recognized complication of cyclophosphamide therapy and it can be potentially fatal. We discuss two cases of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis where outcome of conventional management was not satisfactory and a novel therapy using hyperbaric oxygen was used. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) reduces inflammation, stimulates neoangiogenesis, maintains tissue oxygenation and heals tissue hypoxia and radio necrosis. Patients received 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber at 2.5 atmosphere absolute (ATA) for 90 minutes, 5 days a week. One patient was given 36 sessions and the other was given 19 sessions of HBOT. HBOT resulted in complete cessation of bleeding; no side effect was noted during the course of therapy. There was no relapse after 12 months of cessation of treatment. In future, this form of therapy can offer a safe alternative in the treatment of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.