INCREASED RADIOSENSITIVITY OF SKIN AND NORMAL TISSUES IN HIGH PRESSURE OXYGEN

Abstract

1.Experimental and clinical studies are reviewed which provide evidence in respect to enhancement of radiosensitivity of normal tissues in vivo by exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. 2. The results of further studies of radiation reactions and damage in rat skin are presented which confirm previous observations that skin irradiated in air tolerates doses 20-30 per cent higher than doses administered in hyperbaric oxygen. 3. The application of these results to clinical studies and trials, designed to evaluate the use of hyperbaric oxygen in radiotherapy of cancer, is considered. It is suggested that doses prescribed in air in such trials should be suitably corrected for this oxygen enhancing effect of hyperbaric oxygen exposures.