Background and Objectives: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has shown promise in managing complications due to cancer treatments, particularly those related to radiotherapy and surgery. Despite its clinical benefits, concerns persist regarding its potential to influence cancer progression. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of HBOT in patients with active or previously treated solid tumors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with solid tumors who underwent at least five HBOT sessions. Comprehensive data, including patient demographics, cancer type, total number of HBOT sessions, imaging findings, and clinical outcomes (recurrence, metastasis, and mortality), were collected. Descriptive statistics and the relationship between the number of HBOT sessions and long-term cancer outcomes were analyzed. Results: This study included 45 patients (median age: 64 years; 60% male) who received a median of 27 HBOT sessions. At initiation, 27.9% of the patients were classified as cured, 53.5% were in remission, and 18.6% had active cancer. Over a median follow-up period of 783 days, 8.7% experienced recurrence, 2.7% had persistent active cancer, and 59.5% had no recurrence. No HBOT-related complications were observed during the course of HBOT. Statistical analyses revealed no significant correlations between the number of HBOT sessions and metastasis (p = 0.213) or mortality (p = 0.881). Conclusions: HBOT appears to be a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for managing complications in patients with solid tumors. No evidence was found to suggest HBOT contributes to tumor progression, recurrence, or metastasis. Future prospective studies with larger cohorts are needed to confirm these results and further evaluate the therapeutic role of HBOT in oncology.

Introduction: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) administers 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber at pressures above 1 atmosphere absolute. Inside hyperbaric personnel accompany patients during sessions and breathe compressed air, exposing them to risks like decompression illness and respiratory changes. This study investigated whether hyperbaric exposure affects the long-term lung function of inside hyperbaric personnel. Methods: An analysis was conducted on spirometry data from 14 personnel working between 2012 and 2023. Lung function tests measured forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), mid breath forced expiratory flow (FEF25–75), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) before and after hyperbaric exposure. Participants were categorised based on age, body mass index, number of HBOT sessions, and duration of employment. Results: No clinically or statistically significant differences were found in FVC, FEV1, or PEF measurements before and after hyperbaric exposures (P > 0.05). However, FEF25–75, an indicator of small airway function, showed a (mean) 16% reduction in personnel with more than 150 HBOT sessions (P = 0.038). A post-hoc analysis confirmed a significant difference in FEF25–75 between personnel with fewer than 74 sessions and those with 150 or more sessions (P = 0.015). No clinically significant symptoms such as dyspnoea were reported during the study period. Conclusions: The FEF25–75 reduction, without changes in FEV1, FVC, or PEF, could be due to improper performance of the FVC manoeuvre. Maintaining pulmonary health in inside hyperbaric personnel is essential, emphasising the importance of accurate FVC execution in assessments. Further studies are recommended to explore the long-term implications of these findings and the effects of repeated hyperbaric exposure on respiratory health.

During hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy in humans there are changes in cardiovascular physiology due to high pressure and hyperoxygenation. Peripheral vasoconstriction, bradycardia and a decrease in cardiac output are observed during HBO2 therapy. These physiological effects of HBO2 therapy on the cardiovascular system are tolerated in healthy people. However, patients with underlying cardiac disease may experience severe problems during HBO2 therapy, such as pulmonary edema and death. Cardiac complications may occur in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, HBO2 therapy may have negative effects on cardiovascular physiology in patients with DM. The present study aimed to examine the cardiovascular effects of HBO2 therapy in diabetic patients. The findings of NT-ProBNP, troponin I, electrocardiography (ECG) of diabetic patients who applied to the [ BLINDED for REVIEW ] were compared before and after the first HBO2 therapy session. When ECG findings were analyzed at the end of a session of HBO2 exposure, a statistically significant increase was observed in the QTc, QTc dispersion measurements (p < 0.001, p = 0.015, respectively). In cardiac enzymes there was statistically significant increase in troponin I values after an HBO2 therapy session, but no statistically significant change was observed in Pro-BNP (p = 0.009, p = 0.300, respectively). Short-term exposure to HBO2 therapy had statistically significant changes in troponin I, QT and QTc in patients with DM, which did not reach clinical significance. Despite very little evidence of cardiac dysfunction, we recommend caution HBO2 therapy in patients with DM and the need for further investigation of these measurements.

Barosinusitis, or sinus barotrauma, is a sinonasal injury and/or inflammation that results when the aerated spaces of the nose and sinuses are exposed to an uncompensated change in ambient pressure. We describe a 19-year-old male diver who presented to our clinic on the fourth day following a breath-hold diving session. During descent on a constant weight monofin dive at the South Cyprus World Championship he began to experience symptoms due to the inability to equalise the pressure, particularly in the Eustachian tubes and middle ear cavities. He felt pain and pressure in the upper left half of his face, left upper molars, and under his left eye at 60 metres, and he continued diving down to 74 metres. At presentation to our clinic, he still had ecchymosis under his right eye and pain in his upper right teeth, half of his face, and ear. He also described tingling in the lower left half of his nose and the left half of his upper lip. He received decongestants, B vitamins, and underwent endoscopic sinus drainage which alleviated his symptoms alleviated over time. The diver reported complete resolution of tingling, numbness, and pain after three months. It should not be forgotten that if appropriate treatment is delayed, permanent changes may occur as a result of long-term compression of the nerve, and therefore patients should be monitored closely.

Problems encountered in the management of sports injuries can lead to a prolonged treatment process and a long period of time away from sports that may cause significant economic loss, as well. To ensure the most effective return to sports, a multidisciplinary approach is often required. Research has demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) shows promising results as a treatment modality for sports injuries. A search of the scientific literature was conducted using the keywords "hyperbaric oxygen therapy" and "sports injuries" across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The positive effects of HBOT have been reported in the treatment of various sports injuries, including muscle and soft tissue injuries, as well as bone marrow edema. This review examines the physiological effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as well as the findings obtained from animal injury models and human clinical studies on its use in sports injuries. The effects of HBOT vary depending on the type of injury, and it is generally more beneficial as an adjunctive treatment rather than as a standalone therapy. Although numerous studies have been published, a standardized treatment protocol has yet to be established. However, based on current protocols in the literature, it is believed that a 90- to 120-minute treatment session, administered at least five days per week at 2.0-2.5 ATA, will provide the greatest benefit. The total number of sessions should be determined by the physician following the treatment, based on the patient's specific condition and needs.