Clinical pilot studies on pre-operative hyperthermic tumour ablation for advanced breast carcinoma using an 8 MHz radiofrequency heating device

Abstract

The multimodality treatment approach for advanced breast cancer provides survival advantages with decreased locoregional and distant recurrences, but these intensive anti-tumour treatments cause severe myelosuppression. Thus, in this study, the usefulness of pre-operative anti-tumour treatment without myelosuppression was investigated. Nine patients with advanced breast carcinoma underwent pre-operative hyperthermic tumour ablation (HTA) using an 8 MHz radiofrequency (RF) heating device (Thermotron RF-8) combined with a grounded needle electrode. The patients had a mean age of 58.3+/-13.9 years and included four patients with stage IIIA, two with stage IIIB and three with stage IV cancer. The target temperature was over 50 degrees C. They tolerated pre-operative HTA therapy well with no early or late complications. The initial mean tumour size was 122.1+/-71.5 cm3 and the post-HTA tumour size was 82.2+/-63.4 cm3; the reduction rate was significant (p = 0.000 293). After the pre-operative HTA, all patients underwent surgery with Level III nodal extirpation. Post-operatively, no locoregional recurrence was observed. Microscopic examination of the primary focus showed complete coagulation necrosis expanding for a diameter of 3.5-5.0 cm. Taken together, the pre-operative HTA was a safe, well-tolerated and effective treatment, achieving tumour reduction as well as complete coagulation necrosis that resulted in a large volume of destruction in breast cancer tissue.

Histologic differences between cryothermic and hyperthermic therapies

“…1,3,4 The latter reported coagulative necrosis may have two possible explanations. 20,[22][23][24] First, the temperature in the lesions may not have been high enough to cause thermal fixation but sufficient to cause irreversible cell injury, as was seen in the transition zones present in this study. Second, thermal fixation can fade with time and loose its differential staining properties, resulting in cellular "ghost" images that can mimic coagulative-type necrosis.…”

Percutaneous microwave coagulation for eradication of VX2 tumors subcutaneously in rabbits

“…Other minimally invasive therapies [19-22] have been attempted to ablate tumors in low blood-flow tissue including the breast. Previous study [23] showed the usefulness of microwave coagulation to breast cancer ex vivo .…”

Prediction of anti-tumour effect of thermochemotherapy within vitrothermochemosensitivity testing for non-small cell lung cancer

“…Two circular electrode plates are placed on either side of the target, heating the target within the range 0-50 C with radio waves at an emission frequency of 8 MHz produced by coil oscillation [18][19][20].…”