Hyperthermia in cancer treatment: current and future prospects.

The renewed interest in the possible use of localized hyperthermia in cancer therapy is prompted by two major realizations. The first is the radiobiological evidence indicating that there may be a significant advantage in the use of heat alone or combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy to enhance the inactivation of tumor cells The second is that early clinical investigation with refractory malignant tumors at temperatures between 41 degrees C and 45 degrees C have shown tumor regression response rate over 70% without increasing normal tissue complication. A phase I/II study using electromagnetic hyperthermia immediately following administration of ionizing radiation was begun at Duke in the fall of 1976 to evaluate the response of normal tissues, the regression of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors, and the feasibility of such combined modalities in therapeutic radiology.

Microwave-induced local hyperthermia in combination with radiotherapy of human malignant tumors.

Since 1976, two groups of patients have been treated with local microwave hyperthermia immediately following ionizing radiation. Group A patients had measurable multiple lesions assigned radiotherapy only, microwave hyperthermia only, or combined treatment. Ionizing radiation in 200-600 rad fractions was used 2-5 times per week to a total of 1800-4200 rad in 5-14 fractions.