Between hope and uncertainty: the elusive evidence on hyperbaric oxygen therapy and radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (RT) is a cornerstone in cancer management, but late radiation tissue injury (LRTI) remains a relevant clinical issue, affecting approximately 5% of patients and significantly impacting quality of life. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), by enhancing tissue oxygenation and promoting neovascularization, has been proposed both as a treatment for RT-induced toxicities and as a potential radiosensitizer. However, available evidence is heterogeneous and often limited by small cohorts.

A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was conducted in September 2025. Eligible studies, published between 2000 and 2025, evaluated HBOT in patients receiving RT. Exclusion criteria included reviews, case reports with < 4 patients, and non-English publications. Data extraction included study design, patient and treatment characteristics, HBOT parameters, outcomes, and toxicity.

Forty-two studies (2785 patients) were included, of which 28 were retrospective and 5 randomized controlled trials. Median age was 59 years; most patients were female. HBOT was primarily applied for toxicity management, with a median of 34.5 sessions at 2.45 atm. The pelvic district accounted for the largest patient cohort, with HBOT yielding high response rates (67-100%) for hemorrhagic cystitis. In breast and head-neck cancer, HBOT improved quality of life and toxicity profiles in retrospective reports, but randomized trials failed to demonstrate consistent benefit. Limited data suggested potential benefit in preventing cerebral radionecrosis and a speculative radiosensitizing role in gliomas. HBOT was overall safe, with mild adverse events such as barotrauma and transient myopia.

HBOT shows promising activity in mitigating late RT toxicities, particularly in pelvic toxicities, while evidence in other anatomical sites remains conflicting. Its hypothesized radiosensitizing role is largely speculative. Given the heterogeneity and low evidence level of existing studies, well-designed prospective trials are needed to clarify patient selection, optimal HBOT parameters, and its potential integration with RT.