Microwave hyperthermia therapy
Microwave hyperthermia therapy is an experimental treatment that uses microwaves to heat cancerous tissues, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of other cancer therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy. It is typically applied to a variety of cancers, including prostate, breast, and lung cancers, among others. The therapy can be delivered in several forms: external, intraluminal, or interstitial hyperthermia, targeting different areas of the body. For instance, external hyperthermia is used on or just beneath the skin, while interstitial hyperthermia involves heating deep-seated tumors using a specialized device introduced into the body.
The goal of this therapy is to either kill tumor cells directly or make them more vulnerable to subsequent treatments. While it may show promise in improving treatment outcomes, microwave hyperthermia is not widely available and is primarily utilized in advanced cancer cases. Patients may experience side effects similar to those of other therapies, including temporary pain or discomfort, nausea, and in some instances, more serious risks such as infection or burns. As with any medical treatment, it is important for patients to have thorough discussions with their healthcare providers regarding the potential benefits and risks associated with microwave hyperthermia therapy.
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Microwave hyperthermia therapy
ALSO KNOWN AS: Heat therapy
DEFINITION: Microwave hyperthermia therapy is a procedure in which microwaves are used to heat an area in which cancer is present. It is considered an experimental therapy and is not widely available, and it is usually used in combination with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Cancers treated: A wide variety of cancers, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, rectal cancer, and esophageal cancer
Why performed: Microwave hyperthermia therapy aims to kill tumor cells or make them more susceptible to other cancer treatments.
Patient preparation: Patient preparation for microwave hyperthermia therapy depends on the area in which the therapy will be done and whether the therapy will be localized or regional. Patients should carefully discuss the possible outcomes of the therapy with their cancer care team and the realistic outcome expectations.
Steps of the procedure: Localized hyperthermia may be external, intraluminal (endocavitary), or interstitial hyperthermia. External hyperthermia is a treatment given on or just under the skin, treating conditions like melanoma. Intraluminal hyperthermia treats cancer in body cavities like the esophagus or rectum. Interstitial hyperthermia treats deep tissue tumors in the brain, lungs, or liver. For interstitial hyperthermia, the patient is under general anesthesia, and the tumor is heated to a much higher temperature than other methods.
A rod containing coils that produce microwaves is introduced to the tumor. The rod is turned on, and the microwaves heat up the tumor cells. The tumor cells may be heated to such an extent that they die, or they may be heated only to an extent that makes them more susceptible to drugs. It is very difficult to heat only the tumor cells, and normal cells surrounding the tumor may also be affected.
In regional microwave hyperthermia therapy, a device that produces microwaves is aimed at a region, such as an arm or leg. The machine produces microwaves that heat the entire region. In this case, the cells are heated enough to make chemotherapy drugs more effective but not sufficient to kill the cells. BSD Medical received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the early 2010s for its microwave BSD-500 Hyperthermia System, which can be used alone or with radiation therapy to treat certain tumors. Depending on the cancer's spread, regional procedures may include deep tissue, regional perfusion, or continuous peritoneal perfusion.
After the procedure: If microwave hyperthermia is administered in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation, the patient will experience the effects they usually experience after such therapy. The patient may experience temporary feelings of pain or discomfort from the procedure.
Risks: Microwave hyperthermia therapy is not widely used and is often only used in advanced cases. Risks depend on the specific procedure but may include pain, infection, swelling, blood clots, blisters, burns, and nerve or muscle damage. Most patients experience nausea and stomach upset after a full-body treatment.
Results: Microwave hyperthermia therapy aims to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy. The treatment's results may be hard to define in these cases because many factors affect efficacy. The results will also vary depending on the area in which the tumor is located, the extent of the cancer, and whether the procedure was done in a localized or regional area.
Bibliography
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"Hyperthermia to Treat Cancer." American Cancer Society, 2016, www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/hyperthermia.html. Accessed 20 June 2024.
"Hyperthermia to Treat Cancer." National Cancer Institute, 17 June 2021, www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/hyperthermia. Accessed 20 June 2024.
Minev, Boris R., ed. Cancer Management in Man: Chemotherapy, Biological Therapy, Hyperthermia and Supporting Measures. Springer, 2011.
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Yildiz, Gulsah, et al. “Comparison of Microwave Hyperthermia Applicator Designs with Fora Dipole and Connected Array.” Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 23, no. 14, 21 July 2023, doi:10.3390/s23146592.