Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a supportive treatment used to help cancer patients recover from radiation damage, improve tissue healing, and support overall recovery during cancer care.
HBOT works by delivering 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, allowing the body to absorb higher oxygen levels that help repair damaged tissues and improve circulation.
Many cancer patients use hyperbaric therapy to:
- Improve healing after surgery
- Reduce radiation injury
- Improve oxygen delivery to tissues
- Support recovery during chemotherapy
At Hyperbaric Centers of Florida, we believe geography should never stand between a patient and exceptional care. Our state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic in Zephyrhills, Florida has been providing complementary cancer treatment and integrative cancer therapy to patients from across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Latin America since 2003 — with over 60,000 treatments completed under physician supervision.
Whether you are researching HBOT as an adjunct cancer therapy during active treatment, seeking relief from radiation side effects, or recovering from chemotherapy, our team is equipped to support your journey. Patients travel to our Tampa Bay-area cancer HBOT clinic not simply because we are in Florida — but because we are among the most experienced and credentialed hyperbaric facilities in the Western Hemisphere. We welcome patients from New York, Toronto, Mexico City, San Juan, Bogota, and beyond.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment in which a patient breathes 100% pure medical-grade oxygen inside a hyperbaric chamber for cancer recovery — pressurized to 2 to 3 Atmospheres Absolute (ATA), or roughly two to three times normal atmospheric pressure. At this elevated pressure, oxygen dissolves directly into the blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and tissue fluid at concentrations far beyond what normal breathing can achieve.
This high-pressure oxygen therapy for cancer support triggers several essential biological responses: it stimulates angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth), activates stem and progenitor cells in bone marrow, reduces chronic inflammation, and accelerates the repair of damaged tissue. Our clinic operates real ASME PVHO-certified monoplace and multiplace chambers at true 3 ATA pressure — with medical-grade oil-free compressors and 100% medical-grade oxygen. This distinguishes us from soft-shell home chambers, which cannot reach therapeutic pressure levels.
A landmark NIH-funded study by Thom et al. confirmed that HBOT significantly mobilizes stem and progenitor cells critical for tissue repair and immune function. Research by Feldemeier et al. established that HBOT does not accelerate the malignant process — the key finding that has allowed HBOT to be confidently used as an HBOT adjunct cancer therapy alongside radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical recovery worldwide.
Potential Benefits of HBOT for Cancer Patients
Many cancer patients explore Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as part of their supportive care plan. Some potential benefits include:
Improved Tissue Healing
Radiation therapy can sometimes damage surrounding healthy tissues. HBOT helps increase oxygen supply to these tissues, which may support recovery and repair.
Reduced Radiation Side Effects
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is commonly used to treat radiation-induced tissue damage, including wounds that are slow to heal after cancer treatments.
Enhanced Oxygen Delivery
Increased oxygen circulation helps improve blood flow and may assist the body’s natural healing processes.
Support for Wound Healing
HBOT can support healing in areas where tissue has been weakened due to surgery, radiation therapy, or reduced blood supply.
Improved Quality of Life
Many patients report improvements in energy levels, healing, and overall well-being during supportive HBOT treatment.
Cancer Types We Support
Our cancer HBOT clinic in Zephyrhills, FL provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy Florida patients trust — a proven oxygen therapy cancer treatment for a wide range of diagnoses. Cancer types we regularly support include:
- Head and neck cancers — gold-standard HBOT for osteoradionecrosis and soft tissue necrosis
- Breast cancer — post-radiation recovery and chemotherapy support
- Prostate cancer — radiation cystitis and radiation proctitis treatment
- Bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer and uterine cancers
- Brain tumors and glioblastoma — tumor oxygenation and post-radiation recovery
- Lung cancer — radiation side effect recovery
Why Patients Across the Americas Choose Our Hyperbaric Cancer Treatment Center
Patients from the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Latin America choose Hyperbaric Centers of Florida because of what we offer — not simply where we are located:
- 25+ years of dedicated HBOT expertise — over 60,000 treatments completed by Founder Stephanie Janca Davis
- Licensed Medical Director on staff — Dr. Stephen M. Strait, DO, with remote oncology team coordination available for international patients
- Real ASME PVHO-certified hyperbaric chambers for cancer — true 3 ATA pressure with 100% medical-grade oxygen; a standard many Caribbean and Latin American cancer HBOT clinics cannot match
- Open 7 days a week — maximum scheduling flexibility for traveling patients from across the Americas
- Hyperbaric cancer treatment Tampa Bay area — located at 5610 6th St, Zephyrhills, FL 33543, accessible from Tampa, Wesley Chapel, and Tampa Bay area airports
- Exceptional 20+ year safety record and a genuinely caring clinical environment
HBOT Treatment in 4 Simple Steps
Free Consultation
Call or fill out the form. Our specialist reviews your RSD history and symptoms in detail.
Medical Evaluation
Our Medical Director, Dr. Stephen M. Strait, DO, assesses your case and creates a personalized treatment plan.
Begin HBOT Sessions
Relax comfortably in our hyperbaric chamber while your body receives pure healing oxygen.
Track Your Progress
Monitor measurable improvements session by session — better energy, healing, reduced side effects, and enhanced wellbeing.
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Supports Cancer Patients
By flooding the body with 100% pure oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure, HBOT creates measurable physiological changes that benefit cancer patients at the cellular level.
Elevates Tissue Oxygen
HBOT raises oxygen levels far beyond what breathing ambient air can achieve, creating an environment that can suppress hypoxic (oxygen-deprived) tumor activity.
Stimulates Stem Cells
NIH-backed research confirms HBOT promotes stem and progenitor cell production — supporting the body's capacity for repair and regeneration during and after cancer treatment.
Reduces Inflammation
HBOT significantly decreases systemic inflammation — a key factor in cancer progression and a common source of treatment-related side effects including radiation tissue damage.
Enhances Radiation Efficacy
Higher oxygen levels sensitize tumor cells to radiation therapy, potentially improving treatment outcomes when HBOT is used as an adjunct to radiotherapy.
Supports Post-Treatment Recovery
HBOT accelerates healing of radiation-damaged tissue (radiation necrosis), surgical wounds, and other treatment side effects — improving patient quality of life.
Boosts Immune Function
Increased oxygen tension enhances white blood cell activity and immune response, strengthening the body's natural defenses during a period when conventional therapies can suppress immunity.
Frequently Asked Questions About HBOT for RSD
Yes. NIH-funded research and independent studies, including work by Feldemier et al. and Thom et al., indicate that HBOT does not accelerate the malignant process. Our medical director reviews every case individually to ensure HBOT is appropriate for your situation.
Yes. HBOT is used as a complementary adjunct therapy alongside conventional cancer treatments. It can enhance tissue oxygenation, reduce radiation-induced side effects, and support the body's overall healing environment during and after treatment.
This is the most common concern, and research has provided important clarity. While cancers thrive in blood-rich environments, they may actually be suppressed by high oxygen levels. Research confirms HBOT does not accelerate tumor growth, and may create an environment that is hostile to oxygen-deprived (hypoxic) cancer cells.
Treatment plans are personalized to each patient. Our medical director creates an individualized schedule based on your specific cancer type, current treatments, and health goals. We recommend scheduling a consultation so we can provide a personalized recommendation.
Yes. HBOT is widely used to treat radiation-induced tissue damage (radiation necrosis), promoting healing in tissues damaged by radiation therapy. Many patients experience significant improvement in wound healing and tissue recovery following HBOT.
Ready to Explore HBOT as Part of Your Cancer Care?
Our medical team is standing by to answer your questions and discuss how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can support your specific situation — no obligation, no pressure.
