Clinical Experience with Hyperthermia in Conjunction with Radiation Therapy

Abstract

The authors have reviewed the medical records of 421 sessions of hyperthermia treatments in 73 patients treated between 1987 and 1992 at the University Heights Cancer Center and the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Temperatures attained during the course of therapy on each patient have been averaged and the results were evaluated for complete, partial, or no response. All patients had previously failed conventional radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Responses were defined as: (1) Complete response – lesions that completely disappeared during treatment and the response was sustained for a minimum of 6 months. (2) Partial response -lesions that underwent a reduction in size of greater than 50%. (3) No response – less than 50% reduction in tumor size during the course of treatment. Response varied somewhat according to histology and anatomical site of treatment; however, complete response was achieved in 45 %, partial response in 48% (for an overall response of 93%), and no response in 7% of the patients. The response achieved varied with temperature attained and a minimum temperature of 40 °C for 40min produced the greatest number of responses. Response to hyperthermia was directly related to the temperature achieved and the length of time the temperature was applied.

Whole-body hyperthermia: a review of theory, design and application

“…Hyperthermia has been used successfully to treat isolated neoplastic lesions of the head and neck, 35 regional tumors such as melanoma of the limb, 36 and is under investigation as either an adjunct to, 37 or therapy for, systemic diseases. 38 ± 40 HIV and hyperthermia.…”

“…For primary and recurrent localized tumors or tumorous masses without localized spread, current methods of hyperthermic treatment include application of heated needles, circulating water baths, radio frequency, electromagnetic waves, and homemade devices often used in conjunction with such chemotherapeutic agents as tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), melphalan, interferon-g (IFg ), and mitomycin C. Response has varied somewhat according to histology and anatomical site of treatment. 35 Shibamoto et al report using direct intraoperative radiotherapy heating of the pancreas, 67 and Matsuda et al employed an intraluminal heat exchanger for the treatment of submucosal carcinoma of the esophagus with a 3-year survival of 83%. 68 Often the goal of this therapy is to gain local control of the tumor through heating and concomitant therapy.…”