top of page
Hill Country Wound Care And Hyperbarics

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Cystitis in San Antonio: What You Need to Know

Radiation treatment can be life-saving, but for many pelvic cancer survivors, it comes with long-term side effects that surface years after therapy ends. One of the most frustrating and painful conditions is radiation cystitis, a chronic condition affecting the bladder lining. If you’re experiencing burning, urinary urgency, or blood in your urine, especially long after cancer treatment, it may be more than just irritation. It could be radiation injury.

​

At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, we offer advanced hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at our three outpatient locations in San Antonio to treat radiation-induced cystitis and restore bladder tissue health, often without the need for invasive surgery.

What Is Radiation Cystitis?

Radiation cystitis is a delayed side effect of radiation therapy to the pelvic region, commonly given for:

​

  • Prostate cancer

  • Bladder cancer

  • Cervical cancer

  • Rectal or anal cancer

  • Endometrial or ovarian cancers

 

While radiation is designed to target cancer cells, it can also damage nearby healthy tissues, including the blood vessels that nourish the bladder. Over time, this damage leads to inflammation, scarring, poor blood flow, and tissue breakdown.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on radiation cystitis

Common Symptoms of Radiation Cystitis

Radiation cystitis can present weeks, or even decades, after completing cancer treatment. Symptoms include:

​

  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)

  • Frequent or urgent urination

  • Burning or pain during urination

  • Pelvic pressure or discomfort

  • Bladder spasms or leakage

 

If left untreated, radiation cystitis can lead to recurring infections, severe bleeding, and a decreased quality of life.

Why Traditional Treatments Often Fall Short

Conventional therapies, like bladder irrigations, anticholinergic medications, or antibiotics, often offer short-term symptom relief but do not heal the underlying radiation damage.

​

That’s where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) comes in.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Heals Radiation Cystitis

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which dramatically increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in your bloodstream. This oxygen-rich blood is then delivered to injured tissues, jumpstarting the healing process in ways traditional treatments can't.

​

Radiation cystitis isn’t just irritation. It’s a wound deep inside your body. Like any wound, it requires specialized, advanced care to heal properly. That’s exactly what hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) provides. By delivering high levels of oxygen at the cellular level, HBOT works from the inside out to restore blood flow, repair radiation damage, and promote long‑term healing of the bladder lining.

​

At Hill Country, our HBOT protocols are tailored to address soft tissue radiation injuries, such as cystitis, and are overseen by physician-led teams in a comfortable outpatient setting.

​

Proven Benefits of HBOT for Radiation Cystitis:

✅ Stimulates new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) to repair damaged bladder lining
✅ Reduces inflammation and scar tissue inside the bladder wall
✅ Improves oxygen delivery to hypoxic tissue where healing is stalled
✅ Enhances your body’s ability to fight infection and reduce bleeding
✅ Decreases urinary urgency and discomfort

​

"HBOT delivers 10 to 15 times more oxygen to your body than breathing normally, fueling regeneration in areas damaged by radiation." – Hill Country Wound Care Team.

What to Expect During Treatment

At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, here’s what your HBOT experience for radiation cystitis will look like:

​

1. Initial Consultation: Our board-certified wound care and hyperbaric physicians review your cancer history, bladder symptoms, and previous imaging or urology evaluations.

2. Treatment Plan: Most patients complete 40-60 HBOT sessions, delivered once daily, 4 days a week. We will extend your treatments as needed until optimal progress is achieved.

3. The Chamber Experience: You’ll relax in a clear acrylic monoplace chamber, fully monitored by trained technicians. Sessions last approximately 90–120 minutes.

4. Follow-Up & Coordination: We partner with your urologist and referring specialists to monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?

Yes. HBOT is an FDA-approved treatment for soft tissue radiation injuries and is well-tolerated by most patients. You may experience temporary pressure in your ears, similar to the sensation of flying, but our team guides you through each step to ensure your comfort and safety.

Why Choose Hill Country Wound Care for Radiation Cystitis Treatment?

We’re San Antonio’s largest physician-led outpatient hyperbaric network, offering care at Live Oak, Bulverde, and Southwest San Antonio. Our approach is built around:

​

  • Expertise: Board-certified physicians on-site during every session

  • Convenience: Easy-access locations, flexible scheduling, and no overnight hospital stays

  • Compassion: Personalized treatment plans with education and support at every step

  • Advanced Technology: State-of-the-art Perry hyperbaric chambers in every center

HIllCountryBulverde.jpg
Reclaim Your Comfort, Confidence & Quality of Life

Radiation cystitis can be debilitating, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers a science-backed path to healing and relief, even years after cancer treatment.

 

If you’re ready to learn whether HBOT is right for your radiation bladder injury, we’re here to help.

​

We offer same-week appointments at:

📍 Live Oak 📍 SW San Antonio 📍 Bulverde

Frequently Asked Questions

Living with radiation cystitis can be confusing and emotionally draining, especially when symptoms surface long after cancer treatment has ended. To help you better understand your options, here are the most frequently asked questions our San Antonio patients ask about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for bladder-related radiation injuries. Our goal is to provide clarity, comfort, and a clear path to healing.

  • Most patients begin to experience improvements, like less bleeding and reduced urgency, after 15–20 treatments. However, completing the full course of HBOT (typically 40 sessions) is essential for long-term healing and to allow blood vessels to fully regenerate.

  • Not at all. During treatment, you’ll relax in a comfortable, clear acrylic chamber while breathing 100% oxygen. Some patients feel ear pressure similar to flying on a plane, but our team will guide you through gentle ear-clearing techniques to keep you comfortable.

  • The average protocol includes 40 daily sessions. Depending on how your bladder responds, your care team will extend your treatments as needed until optimal progress is achieved. We coordinate closely with your urologist throughout.

  • In most cases, yes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a Medicare and private-insurance-covered treatment for soft tissue radiation injuries, including radiation cystitis. Our team will verify your benefits and help with pre-authorizations.

  • While not always required, a referral helps ensure we have your full medical history and treatment records. We also welcome self-referrals and can coordinate with your current urology or oncology team after your first consultation.

bottom of page