Improved hyperthermia treatment control using SAR/temperature simulation and PRFS magnetic resonance thermal imaging.

Purpose: This article explores the feasibility of using coupled electromagnetic and thermodynamic simulations to improve planning and control of hyperthermia treatments for cancer. The study investigates the usefulness of preplanning to improve heat localisation in tumour targets in treatments monitored with PRFS-based magnetic resonance thermal imaging (MRTI).

Methods: Heating capabilities of a cylindrical radiofrequency (RF) mini-annular phased array (MAPA) applicator were investigated with electromagnetic and thermal simulations of SAR in homogeneous phantom models and two human leg sarcomas.

Towards the Validation of a Commercial Hyperthermia Treatment Planning System.

Recent developments have reinvigorated clinical investigations of hyperthermia (HT) as a viable adjuvant treatment in the fight against cancer. Researchers are placing a greater emphasis on multi-modal approaches that include mild temperatures (40°C - 43°C) and standard therapies like radiation and chemotherapy than on achieving higher temperature treatments (43°C-45°C) which were pursued in the past. The emergence of robust computer simulation tools for accurate hyperthermia treatment planning has aided this resurgence by helping improve the quality of heating.

An RF phased array applicator designed for hyperthermia breast cancer treatments.

An RF phased array applicator has been constructed for hyperthermia treatments in the intact breast. This RF phased array consists of four antennas mounted on a Lexan water tank, and geometric focusing is employed so that each antenna points in the direction of the intended target. The operating frequency for this phased array is 140 MHz.