Hello,
I have heard these treatments come up in conversations often enough. How do I learn if my HMO covers something like this. I don't know if this is something my mom needs. I assume I would ask her primary HMO doctor or her Referal Cancer doctor to know if she is a canidate. It sounds awufully expensive but very helpful.

Annabel

Annabel, HBO is Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments. Although used for many different reasons, oral cancer patients are treated to improve blood flow to radiated bone when, for example, a tooth is pulled. The intense oxygen atmosphere causes new capillaries to form, thus increasing the blood flow and healing to the affected area, which is done to prevent the much feared osteoradionecrosis -- death of bone due to radiation. As far as I know, this is the only time it is applicable to oral cancer patients. My HMO referred me to the hospital with the HBO chambers, and covered the entire cost.

Hyperbaric chambers are used a lot of time for wound healing. The increase in oxygen helps the wound heal much quicker and also with less scarring. We are fortunate in Dallas because we have two and many oral cancer patients are referred there, almost always with neck dissections.

Ed

Ed, you are absolutely correct about the chambers being used to heal wounds. I saw many terrible wounds during my time there. I think, however, it is used only for wounds that are not healing normally. At least that is what I was told. Things may be different in Dallas.

Joanna,

Hope you can help me. My father has a squamous cell tumor around his right tonsil and tongue. Diagnosed July of 2003. Had radiation and chemotherapy. Feeding tube inserted July of 2003 also. He is 2 months post chemo and still can't take anything by mouth. Radialogist suggested Hyperbaric oxygen chambers. What are they? What can we expect? Previous message talked about it being expensive. Father still has to be evaluated to see if he's a candidate for this procedure. Thanks.


Vickie M

Vickie, just about everything I know about this is posted above by me and Ed. If your father has not had and does not need any traumatic dental work such as extractions, it may be that the radiologist thinks the HBO will heal his throat. You are correct that the treatments are expensive, however mine were completely covered by insurance so I cannot quote you a price. If you search this site, both the forum and main site, you can find more HBO information. The treatments can cause a slight discomfort in the ears initially, but that goes away and I found the treatment to be a good time to nap or watch movies. I hope everything works out well for your father and you too!