Hyperthermia Treatment

Typically, when treating cancerous tumors, a patient may receive radiation therapy or chemotherapy.  While these treatments can be beneficial in some cases, an innovative technology called Hyperthermia, may be used in conjunction with these therapies to increase their effectiveness.

Hyperthermia is used to damage and kill cancer cells.  It may also make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain anticancer drugs, potentially reducing the number of radiation treatments needed. There are also minimal side-effects.

Prior to this procedure, a CT scan is performed to precisely locate the tumor area. During Hyperthermia treatment, the affected area is heated superficially by the use of an applicator.  The applicator is placed over the patient and may sometimes be filled with water to conform to the patient’s surface anatomy. Microwaves are used to heat the area. The body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to approximately 109ºF or 43ºC).

As the heat travels into the body, it dilates blood vessels around the tumor, causing oxygen-carrying red blood cells to spread into the tumor. When the patient is later exposed to radiation treatment, the radiation reacts with the high levels of oxygen in the tumor, killing the tumor cells. This procedure can take up to 1 hour and is performed twice a week for the duration of radiation treatment.

It is recommended to consult your doctor so they can determine the cancer therapy most appropriate for you.

HIPEC

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, or HIPEC, is a treatment option for people who have complex and advanced abdominal cancers.

Before patients receive HIPEC treatment, doctors perform cytoreductive surgery to remove visible tumors within the abdomen. First, an incision is made into the abdominal wall. Doctors then look at the extent of disease and organs affected. This surgery is performed using various surgical techniques to remove as many tumors as possible.

After the tumors have been removed, the HIPEC procedure begins. First, temperature probes are placed in each side of the abdominal wall. Then, two inflow catheters are placed in the lower abdomen, and two outflow catheters are placed in the upper abdomen. The catheters are attached to tubes that connect to the perfusion machine, which controls the temperature and flow of the chemotherapy solution. The temperature probes allow the surgical team to monitor the temperature of the solution within the abdomen.

The abdomen is then briefly sutured closed for the procedure. Saline solution enters through the inflow catheters. The solution is warmed to the necessary temperature—41 to 42 degrees Celsius, about the temperature of a warm bath.

Next, chemotherapy is added to the solution in two doses over a 90-minute period. The pump of the machine transports the solution into the abdomen. The solution flows back to the machine, where it is warmed and re-sent into the abdomen. This cycle continues throughout the procedure. During this time, gentle shaking is applied to the abdomen to allow for better mixing of the solution, and to help ensure it reaches and bathes all surfaces of the abdominal organs and tissues.

At the end of the 90-minute treatment period, the chemotherapy solution is drained from the abdomen. The abdomen is rinsed out with more saline solution. It is then reopened, and the catheters and temperature probes are removed. Finally, the abdomen is stapled shut to complete the surgery. In total, the surgery and HIPEC procedure can take 6 to 12 hours to complete.

It is recommended to consult your doctor so they can determine the cancer treatment most appropriate for you.

Hyperthermia Treatment (Deep Tissue)

Deep tissue hyperthermia uses heat with radiation therapy or chemotherapy to treat pelvic or abdominal region tumors.

For example, when used on some cervical cancer patients who aren’t able to receive chemotherapy, deep tissue hyperthermia combined with radiation therapy may be a promising treatment option.

Prior to this procedure, a CT scan is performed to locate the tumor. During the deep tissue hyperthermia treatment, temperature probes are placed both externally and internally to accurately monitor temperatures during the treatment.

A water-filled applicator is then placed over the patient’s abdomen and focused electromagnetic energy (radio frequency energy) is directed at the tumor, exposing the tumor to a temperature of around 104°F or 40°C. The heating effect is monitored and can be turned down if it becomes too hot. It immediately stops when the equipment is turned off.

Deep tissue hyperthermia dilates blood vessels around the tumor, causing oxygen-carrying red blood cells to spread into the tumor.

When the patient is later exposed to radiation treatment, the radiation reacts with the high levels of oxygen in the tumor, potentially destroying the tumor cells. Or if the patient receives chemotherapy after deep tissue hyperthermia, it can increase the flow of blood to the tumor area, potentially bringing more chemotherapy to the tumor.

The deep tissue hyperthermia treatment can take up to two hours and is typically performed twice a week for the duration of the radiation or chemotherapy treatment.

It is recommended to consult your doctor so they can determine the cancer therapy most appropriate for you.