Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Cystitis—A Local Center Experience

Abstract Introduction Radiation cystitis is a debilitating condition with no standardized management protocol, significantly impairing the quality of life of patients with cancer treated with pelvic radiotherapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is recognized for its benefit in treating radiation cystitis by enhancing tissue oxygenation and promoting healing. This study evaluates the long‐term efficacy of HBOT for radiation cystitis in Hong Kong and identifies risk factors for adverse outcomes. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center at the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Hong Kong, evaluating patients treated with HBOT for radiation cystitis between May 2022 and July 2024. Data collected included demographics, radiotherapy details, HBOT specifics, late effects normal tissues‐subjective, objective, management, analytic (LENT‐SOMA) score, and long‐term outcomes. Statistical analysis was used to assess treatment impact and identify predictors of readmission. Results Seventy‐seven patients were included in this study. The mean pretreatment LENT‐SOMA score was 13.3, significantly reduced to 6.6 after treatment ( p < 0.001). Hematuria scores also markedly decreased from 1.82 to 0.45 ( p < 0.001). Overall, 85.7% of patients showed significant improvement, with 68% experiencing complete resolution of hematuria. Readmission within 12 months occurred in 22.1% of patients. High posttreatment LENT‐SOMA scores correlated with readmission risk, with posttreatment scores >15.5 being a significant predictor. Each point increase in the posttreatment LENT‐SOMA score was associated with a 15.9% increase in risk of readmission for hematuria 12 months after completion of HBOT. Conclusion HBOT significantly improves symptoms of radiation cystitis, as evidenced by reductions in LENT‐SOMA and hematuria scores. The findings underscore HBOT's efficacy and suggest that posttreatment LENT‐SOMA scores can serve as useful predictors for readmission, aiding in individualized treatment planning.