27 Jan Angiogenesis, Cancer, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT):
Why Increasing Oxygen Does Not Mean Feeding Cancer
A Simple Starting Point
One of the most common fears people have about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is this:
“If oxygen helps blood vessels grow, doesn’t that mean it could help tumors grow too?”
It’s a fair question — and for years, it slowed research and clinical adoption.
But modern science now shows that this fear is based on an outdated understanding of how tumors behave.
The short answer is:
HBOT does not promote cancer growth or metastasis.
In many cases, it does the opposite by removing the conditions that tumors rely on to survive and spread.
To understand why, we need to talk about hypoxia and angiogenesis — in plain language.
What Is Angiogenesis (In Plain English)?
Angiogenesis simply means the formation of new blood vessels.
- In healthy tissue, angiogenesis is a good thing
- Wound healing
- Tissue repair
- Recovery after injury
- In cancer, angiogenesis is often a survival tactic
But here’s the key distinction:
Tumors don’t grow blood vessels because oxygen is high —
they grow them because oxygen is LOW.
The Real Driver of Tumor Angiogenesis: Hypoxia
Most solid tumors exist in a state called hypoxia, meaning:
- They are oxygen-starved
- Their blood vessels are chaotic, leaky, and poorly organized
- Oxygen delivery is inefficient
When cells are deprived of oxygen, they activate emergency survival pathways.
One of the most important is a signal called HIF-1α (Hypoxia-Inducible Factor).
In simple terms:
Low oxygen tells the tumor: “You’re in danger — build more vessels at any cost.”
This leads to:
- Aggressive angiogenesis
- Poor-quality blood vessels
- Increased resistance to chemotherapy and radiation
- Higher metastatic potential
What HBOT Actually Does to Tumors
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy dramatically increases oxygen availability — temporarily but powerfully.
When oxygen levels rise:
- Hypoxia signaling is reduced
- HIF-1α activity decreases
- The tumor’s “panic response” calms down
This is what researchers mean when they say:
“HBOT reverses the hypoxic conditions that stimulate tumor-driven angiogenesis.”
In other words:
- The tumor no longer needs to desperately create abnormal vessels
- Angiogenic signaling is reduced, not amplified
Does HBOT Cause New Blood Vessels in Tumors?
The Evidence So Far
Research across multiple cancer models shows:
- No increase in tumor growth
- No increase in metastasis
- No increase in cancer recurrence in humans
In fact:
- Some studies show reduced vessel density in tumors
- Others show no significant change
- A small number of animal studies show increased vascular density without increased malignancy
That last point matters.
More vessels does not automatically mean more danger.
What matters is vessel quality and behavior — not just quantity.
The Difference Between “Feeding a Tumor” and “Normalizing Its Environment”
HBOT does not:
- Feed cancer cells
- Accelerate tumor metabolism
- Increase malignancy
Instead, it often:
- Improves oxygen diffusion
- Reduces chaotic vessel signaling
- Makes tumors more vulnerable to treatment
This is why HBOT is commonly used as an adjunct (supportive therapy) with:
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Surgical recovery
Oxygenated tumors respond better to radiation because radiation damage depends on oxygen to create DNA-damaging free radicals.
Why HBOT Helps Normal Tissue Without Helping Cancer
This is a critical point.
Healthy tissue:
- Has intact oxygen sensing
- Uses angiogenesis only when appropriate
- Builds organized, functional blood vessels
Tumors:
- Have broken signaling
- Respond abnormally to hypoxia
- Lose their advantage when oxygen is restored
So while HBOT can:
- Improve wound healing
- Support recovery
- Repair radiation-damaged tissue
It does not give tumors the same benefit — because tumors rely on dysfunction to survive.
What About Metastasis?
The concern that HBOT might increase metastasis has been specifically studied.
Across human clinical data:
- No increased metastasis rates
- No increased recurrence
- No shortened survival
This is why modern reviews consistently conclude:
HBOT is considered safe in cancer patients and does not promote cancer spread.
Why This Matters for Patients and Families
Cancer already creates fear and uncertainty.
The idea that oxygen — something so fundamental to life — could be dangerous is deeply unsettling.
What the science now shows is reassuring:
- Oxygen is not the enemy
- Hypoxia is
- HBOT targets the tumor’s weakness, not its strength
In Summary (Plain and Simple)
- Tumors grow new vessels because they are oxygen-starved
- HBOT temporarily restores oxygen levels
- This reduces the signals that drive harmful angiogenesis
- HBOT does not cause cancer growth or spread
- It often makes standard cancer treatments work better
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider as part of an individualized treatment plan.
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