Due to the metabolic changes that cancer cells undergo, they typically thrive in low oxygen environments but are less successful in environments with elevated oxygen levels.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) involves administration of oxygen at elevated pressure, thus increasing plasma oxygen saturation and facilitating oxygen delivery to the tissues independent of haemoglobin O2 saturation.

HBO2T has been shown to inhibit tumor growth, reduce tumor blood vessel density and induce the preferential expression of anti-cancer genes. It also enhances tumor-cell production of reactive oxygen species which contributes to its synergistic effect with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

There is also extensive research showing that HBO2T supports cellular energy processes, reduces side-effects and increases quality of life in radiotherapy and chemotherapy patients.