What is hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia exposes body tissue to high temperatures through localized, regional, and/or whole body treatments. Different forms of hyperthermia are used in an integrative cancer care program. The location, size, and type of cancer defines the specifics of the hyperthermia treatment. There is also variability with hyperthermia devices and knowledge between hyperthermia providers.
Loco-regional hyperthermia overheats parts of the body affected by the tumor and mostly used in the treatment of regional, skin deep and lower lying tumors and metasases.
Whole body hyperthermia overheats the entire body. The combination of loco-regional hyperthermia with whole-body hyperthermia is used in some cancer patients with multiple metastases.
How does hyperthermia work?
During a hyperthermia treatment, the person receiving the therapy rests on a comfortable bed for an average of one hour with localized or regional hyperthermia and several hours with whole body hyperthermia.
Both localized and regional hyperthermia often use a circular device on the cancerous region to overheat tumor cells through temperatures usually between 41 degrees celsius (107.6 fahrenheit) and 44 degrees celsius (111.2 fahrenheit). The computer-controlled short waves flow through the targeted area impacting tumor cells and not healthy tissues. Hyperthermia systems incorporate a device that works in concert with capacitive coupled radiowaves to enhance the treatment efficacy. Some hyperthermia systems use microwaves instead of radiowaves.
Hyperthermia is generally well-tolerated not producing significant, long-lasting side effects.
What are the potential benefits of hyperthermia to people with cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute, by killing cancer cells and damaging proteins and structures within cells, hyperthermia may shrink tumors.
Research indicates that hyperthermia activates the immune system and anti-cancer activity, among many other effects. The heat accumulation in the cancer cells is followed by an insufficient supply of oxygen and a subsequent decline of the tumor nourishment. The deficiency syndrome leads to disruption of important metabolic processes of cell division and cell conservation as well as lowering of the ph-value. The heat damages also cause important reparation systems of the tumor cells to collapse. As a result, the damaged cell components such as membranes and proteins cannot be replaced, which can lead to the destruction of the tumor.
Studies also suggest that in contrast to healthy tissue, temperatures over 42 degrees celsius cause cancer cells to build a characteristic protein structure on their surface called heat-shock proteins that activate the killer cells produced naturally in the body to combat the tumor cells. This effect enhances the anti-cancer activity of the immune system and causes damage to tumor cells.
Another effect comes from the electromagnetic field that reaches the tumor tissue through lowering the communication process between the cancer cells. Signals responsible for the cell division are interrupted to prevent tumor tissues from growing.
For more detailed information, studies indicate the following effects through hyperthermia1.
Cytotoxic Effects
- Induction of apoptosis (cancer cell death)
- Synergistics with cytostatics and ionized rays
- Higher transmembranic carrier mechanism (tissue penetration, permeability)
- Increased metabolism
- Reduction of chemotherapy-resistance
- Reduction of intratumoural tissue pressure
Immunological Effects
- Improvement of emigration, migration, and phagocytosis
- Induction of cytokines, chemokines, and heat-shock proteins
- Modulation of cell-adhesion molecules
- Higher extravasation and permeability for antibodies
Molecular-Biological Effects
- Antiangiogenesis (blocks blood vessels supporting cancer growth)
- Antivascular effects
- Induction of heat-shock proteins
- Expression of antigens
- Modification of gen-expression
What are additional potential effects of combining hyperthermia with chemotherapy and radiation?
Clinical trials have studied hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy for many types of cancer. Both radiation and chemotherapy appear to be more effective when combined with hyperthermia. The enhanced effectiveness of chemotherapy due to hyperthermia also allows the administration of a lower chemo dose with less cancer side effects such as hair loss and nausea.
Research is ongoing and findings from some recent studies evaluating hyperthermia with either chemotherapy or radiation state the following.
"Hyperthermia increases the penetration of chemotherapy into tissues. As tissues soften in response to heat, the elevated interstitial pressure of a tumor mass may decrease and allow improved drug penetration. Lastly, and probably most important, heat increases the cytotoxicity of selected chemotherapy agents2."
"Hyperthermia influences several molecular parameters involved in sensitizing tumor cells to radiation and can enhance the potential of targeted radiotherapy3."
"Several randomized trials have shown an improvement by adding hyperthermia to radiation that is comparable to the improvement found with the addition of chemotherapy to radiation. Hyperthermia does not seem to add to treatment-induced toxicity and the results of hyperthermia are consistent even at 12 years follow-up and could be reproduced in a large, unselected group of cervix cancer patients. A novel indication for combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia is vaginal cancer. Recently, a cohort study showed that the addition of hyperthermia to radiation seems to improve overall survival for patients with vaginal cancer International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III4."
Is hyperthermia widely available as a cancer treatment?
In the United States, hyperthermia is not a part of conventional cancer care. Few cancer facilities have hyperthermia equipment. There are currently a number of clinical trials testing hyperthermia in people with cancer. As of September 2010, Texas Oncology purchased a hyperthermia device to use in treating cancer patients.
In Europe and Japan especially, hyperthermia is more widely available and used in cancer treatment.
What is the history of hyperthermia?
Historical records indicate that fever was used against cancer several thousand years ago dating back to ancient Egypt. Modern hyperthermia technology developed from studies associating episodes of fever and cancer regression in the 1800s. Hyperthermia devices have been developed and incorporated into cancer care during the last 10-15 years.
For More Information
Our most popular resources about the body and cancer
 Nutrition and Cancer Top Tips
You are what you eat! Some foods kill cancer cells and others promote cancer cell growth. Learning the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods in the midst of cancer is essential.
 Inflammation and Cancer
Turn down the heat and extinguish the fire. Inflammation is associated with cancer. Empower yourself with this must know information to reduce cancer risk, improve quality of life, and in some cases cancer survival.
 Antioxidants and Cancer
Foods and supplements with antioxidants provide important health benefits, including against cancer. Also learn about potential risks and benefits when combining antioxidants with radiation and chemotherapy.
 Conventional Cancer Treatments
Read information about conventional cancer treatments. Learn about the benefits of using conventional cancer treatments in an integrative model. Explore our resources for quality cancer care.
References
- Hager ED, Birkenmeier J, Popa C: Hyperthermia in oncology: A promising new method? Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Onkologie 2006; 38:100-107.
- Esquivel J. Technology of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and Korea. Cancer J. 2009 May-Jun;15(3):249-54. Review. PubMed PMID: 19556912.
- Pandita TK, Pandita S, Bhaumik SR. Molecular parameters of hyperthermia for radiosensitization. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr. 2009;19(3):235-51. Review. PubMed PMID: 19883367.
- Franckena M, van der Zee J. Use of combined radiation and hyperthermia for gynecological cancer. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Feb;22(1):9-14. Review. PubMed PMID: 20019611.
|