Hyperthermia therapy
Hyperthermia therapy is a medical treatment that involves raising the temperature of body tissues to help destroy cancer cells. This approach has been explored for various cancers, including breast, cervical, colorectal, kidney, ovarian, and prostate cancers. The principle behind hyperthermia therapy is that elevated temperatures can ablate or destroy cancer cells and enhance the effectiveness of conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The therapy can be administered in different ways, including external applications using radio waves, ultrasound, or microwaves, as well as internal methods during surgical procedures.
Patient preparation varies based on the method used—whether the treatment is local, regional, or whole body. During procedures, patients may receive medications to ensure comfort, and some treatments may require anesthesia. While hyperthermia therapy can provide beneficial effects, it may also come with risks such as pain, infection, and potential damage to surrounding tissues. Following treatment, patients may either stay in the hospital or return home, depending on the type of therapy received. Overall, hyperthermia therapy represents an innovative approach to cancer treatment that aims to improve patient outcomes through the application of heat.
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Hyperthermia therapy
Also known as: Thermal ablation, radiofrequency ablation, RFA
Definition: Hyperthermia is a treatment that uses high temperatures to destroy cancer cells directly. Hyperthermia therapy may also be used to raise the temperature of a region of the body to assist other types of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to be more effective.
Cancers treated: Under study in many cancers, such as breast, cervical, colorectal, kidney, ovarian, and prostate cancers
Why performed: Heat has been shown to ablate (destroy) cancer cells. Hyperthermia therapy also seems to make cancer treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy more effective. While the therapy has been available for years in an experimental mode, recent advances have made the treatment more practical.
Patient preparation: Patient preparation depends on whether hyperthermia therapy is external or internal, such as during surgery; whether heating is local, regional, or whole body; or whether hyperthermia is used as a stand-alone treatment or to potentiate the actions of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The level of heat is similar to a fever or a hot bath, but medications may be used to make treatments more comfortable for the patient. When hyperthermia is used during surgery, the patient is generally asleep (under anesthesia), depending on the site being treated.
Steps of the procedure: Hyperthermia therapy may involve local thermal ablation of a tumor using radio waves, ultrasound, or microwaves with a machine from outside the body. Internal hyperthermia therapy uses a probe or needle inserted in the tumor, usually during surgery. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses ultrasound or visualization during surgery to deliver high-energy radio waves to a tumor. Whole-body hyperthermia may use warming blankets or thermal chambers that heat the body. Procedures may be one time, such as during surgery, or daily, as when combined with radiation therapy.
After the procedure: Patients may remain in the hospital if surgery and internal hyperthermia are used. If used in combination with radiation therapy or chemotherapy, hyperthermia treatments are generally outpatient in nature, and the patient may go home after each treatment.
Risks: Side effects depend on the type of hyperthermia therapy but may include pain, infection, bleeding, damage to the skin, and nerve or muscle damage near the treatment site. Whole-body hyperthermia may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and, rarely, problems with other organs, such as the heart.
Results: Heat may cause cellular changes that kill cancer cells or make cells more susceptible to the effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
Bibliography
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"Hyperthermia to Treat Cancer." American Cancer Society. Amer. Cancer Soc., 24 June 2013. Web. 9 Oct. 2014.
Kobayashi, Takeshi. "Cancer Hyperthermia Using Magnetic Nanoparticles." Biotechnology Journal 6.11 (2011): 1342–47. Print.
Minev, Boris R., ed. Cancer Management in Man: Chemotherapy, Biological Therapy, Hyperthermia and Supporting Measures. New York: Springer, 2011. Print.
Moros, Eduardo G., ed. Physics of Thermal Therapy: Fundamentals and Clinical Applications. Boca Raton: CRC-Taylor, 2013. Print.