Hyperthermia Treatment

Hyperthermia Cancer Treatment Research has shown that hyperthermia—defined as exposing body tissue to temperatures up to 113°F—“can damage and kill cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to normal tissues,” and “may shrink tumors,” according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).4 Usually used in combination with radiation or chemotherapy, hyperthermia can be applied locally to small areas such as tumors, regionally to large areas such as a body cavity, organ, or limb, or to the whole body to treat metastatic cancer. The NCI Fact Sheet on hyperthermia points out that many but not all of the clinical trials of hyperthermia in combination with radiation and/or chemotherapy, have shown a significant reduction in tumor size. “However, not all of these studies have shown increased survival in patients receiving the combined treatments.”
Texas Oncology’s radiation oncologists use the most advanced treatment planning systems and newest technology tools in the fight against radio-resistant and recurrent cancer. One of the latest tools is called hyperthermia treatment, which attacks tumors with the additive effects of precisely delivered therapeutic heat. Heat and Cancer Cells
Researchers have found that elevated temperatures can disrupt and destroy cancer cells within malignant tumors. As the cancer cells die, the cancer tumor shrinks. Hyperthermia therapy uses heat applied directly to the cells to destroy cancer cells that are otherwise not responding to more conventional treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation. It works by a multitude of mechanisms, including: • Disabling intracellular repair enzymes that allow the cancer to survive radiation damage • Causing the cells to release heat shock proteins, thus stimulating the immune system’s fight against the cancer • More favorable alterations in tissue perfusion allowing radiation and/or chemotherapy to work more effectively Administration of Hyperthermia The hyperthermia therapy is administered by the BSD-500, a powerful microwave system that delivers heat energy directly into the cancerous tumor at temperatures between 107-111 degrees Fahrenheit. This treatment has been shown to destroy malignant tumor cells, while minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. When used as part of a combined treatment regimen, hyperthermia improves the effectiveness of other cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. Treatment Methods Hyperthermia therapy can be delivered locally or regionally. • Local hyperthermia: Heat is applied to a small area or directly to a tumor through microwave, radiofrequency, and ultrasound. For external treatment, applicators are placed on the patient in the appropriate target area and the tumor is heated through the energy source. In the case of tumors located deep inside the body, such as the rectum, cervix, and prostate, heat is delivered to the tumors through probes placed in the specified area. • Regional hyperthermia: Heat is applied to large tissue areas where the entire area or region is targeted and treated using microwave or radiofrequency energy that raises the temperature to the area. The hyperthermia treatment technology has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat malignant tumors on the surface or just below the surface of the skin. Hyperthermia is used for select cancers of the breast, as well as sarcoma, melanoma, adenocarcinoma, or squamous or basal-cell