Local Hyperthermia

For a long time it has been known that cancer cells may be damaged by heat.  If you heat up cancer tissues, heat shock proteins develop, initiating immunological mechanisms of defence against cancer cells.  Repair mechanisms in the cancer tissue after chemotherapy or irradiation get impaired by hyperthermia.  If the chemotherapy or irradiation is performed in combination with hyperthermia these treatments will be much more effective.  As a result, in many cases it is possible to use a lower dosage of chemotherapy which means less toxicity for the patient.

In local hyperthermia, cancer tissue or metastases are heated up by using short wave irradiation with 13.56 Mhz and an energy up to 150 watts.  Penetration depth is about 20 cm.  In the tumour tissue, temperatures higher than 42 c (107.6 f) are achieved. 

While healthy cells tolerate this treatment malignant cells get damaged. 

The local hyperthermia has no significant side effects.  During the treatment the patient stays relaxed on a warm water bed. 
 

Treatment with local hyperthermia is suitable for all patients.