How hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps skin cancer patients
Explore the benefits of immersion into an atmosphere of 100% oxygen for people battling the most common type of cancer
As the most common cancer in the United States, skin cancer is estimated to affect one in five Americans in their lifetime. [1]
Join us as we discuss this prevalent form of cancer, its most common treatment options, and how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can help skin cancer patients in reaching remission.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer occurs as skin cells uncontrollably grow and multiply, resulting in one of the three main types of skin cancer:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma [2]
Basal and squamous cell carcinomas—also known as non-melanoma skin cancer—are the most common types, but melanoma is the most dangerous type as it is more prone to spread to other organs in the body if left untreated or caught in a late stage. [2]
Despite being the most common form of cancer, skin cancer is also the most preventable form of cancer with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun contributing to 90% of nonmelanoma and 85% of melanoma cases. [3]
What is the most common treatment for skin cancer?
Despite the high level of preventability, skin cancer is extremely prevalent, so many treatment options have been devised to help those who are diagnosed.
The right skin cancer treatment varies on a case-by-case basis depending on the size, type, depth, and location of the lesions, but the most common treatments include:
- Initial skin biopsy
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen
- Surgery — excisional, Mohs, and others
- Curettage and electrodesiccation or cryotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy [4]
These treatment options are extremely effective—nearly all skin cancers are curable if detected in early stages. [2]
Is skin cancer treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
When it comes to hyperbaric oxygen therapy and skin cancer, many clinical trials and studies are being done to analyze the therapy’s ability to aid in the treatment of skin cancer.
Research is being conducted to discover if hyperbaric oxygen therapy can:
- Improve the efficacy of chemotherapy
- Reduce the growth of certain types of cancer when used in conjunction with radiation therapy [5]
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help skin cancer patients?
While not yet used directly as a treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used in conjunction with skin cancer treatments like chemo and radiation therapies to mitigate their harsh side effects.
Although extremely effective in killing or removing cancer cells, skin cancer treatments often destroy normal cells in surrounding tissues and nearby blood vessels in the process. This destruction contributes to a variety of harsh side effects for patients to battle in addition to the cancer.
Through exposure to an atmosphere of 100% oxygen, HBOT can help patients with these side effects by:
- Reducing pain, decreasing swelling, and accelerating wound healing after surgery
- Allowing more oxygen to reach damaged areas and prevent tissues from dying from lack of blood after radiation therapy
- Healing skin grafts or flaps from surgery quicker and more effectively
- Preventing Osteoradionecrosis from occurring after radiation therapy
- And much more.
Ready to experience the healing power of oxygen?
At our medical centers in Orlando and New Smyrna Beach, Florida, our team at Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center has been honored to support many cancer patients and survivors on their healing journey.
Our caring, knowledgeable team of hyperbaric specialists work together to determine the best treatment regimen for each of our patient’s unique set of circumstances.
Medicare and many other insurance companies cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for certain cancer treatment side effects, including Osteoradionecrosis, radiation tissue damage, and compromised skin grafts and flaps. We can submit the claims directly to your insurance company, so you can focus on your healing. If you are not covered by insurance, we will help you determine the best method to pay for your treatments with a variety of discounted out-of-pocket packages available.
We’d like to share the story of one of our patients who used HBOT to heal a skin graft which can be used if a substantial portion of cancerous skin is removed during a curative surgery: [6]
“After elective surgery, it was suggested I have hyperbaric treatments to help the skin flap heal properly. I had never heard of these treatments before and I was frightened. The staff at Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center was able to extraordinarily and quickly alleviate my fears. They are caring, competent, concerned professionals! AND the skin grafted as hoped. To top off all the excellent care and results, they fought knowledgeably with the insurance company and all treatments went from no coverage to completely covered. What an excellent experience.”
— Diana S., via Google Reviews, Hyperbarics Orlando
Come visit us at Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center!
Our trained, caring team of hyperbaric specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have before your treatments! We welcome you to contact us today.
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Sources:
1: American Academy of Dermatology Association | Skin Cancer
2: Cleveland Clinic | Skin Cancer
3: The Skin Cancer Foundation | Skin Cancer Awareness Month
4: Mayo Clinic | Skin Cancer – Diagnosis & Treatment
5: Macmillan Cancer Support | Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment
