For some patients, the effects of radiation therapy emerge long after cancer treatment ends. Radiation cystitis, a form of radiation-related bladder injury, can cause recurring urinary bleeding that disrupts daily life and may require emergency care.
This was the case for a 77-year-old man who came to Hyperbaric Medical Solutions after repeated episodes of bleeding with blood clots. With a personalized HBOT protocol and regular reassessments, he experienced a substantial reduction in bleeding and gradually returned to his usual diet and activity.
CASE STUDY:
Patient Age: 68
Gender: Male
Presentation: Referred for treatment of radiation cystitis with recurrent hematuria, or blood in the urine. He also experienced radiation-related rectal bleeding and urinary bleeding with clots that required an ER visit, catheter placement, and bladder irrigation.
Health History: Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, the patient underwent prostatectomy in 2019 and radiation therapy in late 2024. He later developed rectal and urinary bleeding. Cystoscopy confirmed radiation cystitis in February 2026. His history of recurrent blood clots and ear problems required additional treatment planning.
Personalized Treatment Protocol: 60 sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at 2.4 ATA for 90 minutes, five days per week. His protocol included ENT clearance and slow pressure changes.
Patient Outcome: Bleeding decreased significantly, from frequent episodes with clots to rare, minor episodes that resolved on their own. He returned to his usual diet and activity, felt well, and considered treatment a success.
Understanding Radiation Cystitis and HBOT Treatment
What is radiation cystitis?
Radiation cystitis is bladder injury caused by radiation therapy to the pelvic area. Symptoms can develop months or years after treatment and include blood in the urine, urinary urgency, increased frequency, and discomfort with urination.
For this patient, recurrent bleeding with clots required emergency care and eventually led to his referral for HBOT.
How can HBOT help?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy delivers 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, increasing oxygen availability in damaged tissue and supporting new blood vessel formation. This helps address the underlying radiation injury.
Research supports HBOT as a treatment for chronic radiation cystitis, with studies showing improvements in urinary symptoms and lasting benefits for many patients.
Clinical Evidence:
Long-term Incidence of Hematuria, Urethral Stricture and Bladder Cancer after Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of chronic refractory radiation proctitis: a randomized and controlled double-blind crossover trial with long-term follow-up
