PATIENT AND FAMILY RESOURCES

Your oncologist may recommend that you add Hyperthermia treatments to your chemotherapy or radiotherapy, if you have a cancer that is known to be responsive to Hyperthermia. Hyperthermia may be added to your treatment if you have a recurrence in a location that has already been treated with radiation or if you have already had chemotherapy. Hyperthermia is often used to sensitise tumours that are known to be resistant to radiation or chemotherapy.

In some rare instances Hyperthermia may be used by itself, in between chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Studies have been conducted on tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, liver, lung, head and neck, brain, cervix, and prostate, as well as on melanomas, and sarcomas. While there are some tumour types for which the use of Hyperthermia is still considered experimental, there are many tumour types with a large amount of research. 

The most researched tumours are cervical cancer, head and neck cancers, recurrent breast cancers, and sarcomas [9-13]. Speak to your oncologist if you think you may have a tumour that could benefit from the addition of Hyperthermia to your treatment regime.

The increase in heat causes an increase in the blood flow to the tumour. This increased blood flow results in an increase in the concentration of the chemotherapy in the tumour. There is also more oxygen brought to the tumour by the blood. This is important because radiotherapy causes more damage when there is oxygen in the tumour [3,4].

The main action of radiation therapy and most chemotherapies is on the DNA of the tumour cells. However, the cells will try to repair the damage done by radiation and chemotherapy. This repair process is very difficult under heated conditions and therefore, on top of increasing the cell killing effect of the treatments, hyperthermia also inhibits and slows down the tumour cells ability to repair the damage done by the treatments [5,6].

Heating the region also stimulates an immune response at the site of the tumour which can support and promote the body’s ability to fight against the cancer [7,8].

We use a technique known as modulated Electro-Hyperthermia. Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia is a form of local Hyperthermia that can selectively heat up tumours using low frequency radio waves. The technique is suitable for tumours regardless of their depth or location in the body.

The device used is manufactured by a company called Oncotherm GmBH. The technique involves lying on a bed that has a water mattress and an electrode built into the base.

A second electrode, housed in an adjustable applicator, is then placed over the treatment area. The two electrodes use capacitive coupling to generate an electromagnetic field using radio-frequency energy. The frequency used is very low. At 13.56MHz the frequency is even lower than the lowest frequency used for radio stations, and it is therefore very safe.

The device has a self-selecting technology which is based on the difference in the biophysical properties of malignant tissue and healthy tissue. The malignant (cancer) tissue responds differently to the electromagnetic field and one of the consequences of this is that the cancer tissue begins to heat up. The device also has a patented amplitude modulation which enhances the selection of the malignant tissue over the healthy tissue.

The technique that we use is very safe. There is a very small (1%) chance of developing a small blister on the skin in the treated area if the treatment is too hot. There is also a chance that, if there is a lot of fatty tissue in the treatment area, the fatty tissue may suffer a low grade burn resulting in a round, painful lump in the fatty tissue, which disappears over six to eight weeks.

However, this is not common and only happens in roughly ten out of a hundred patients [10].

If the brain is being treated, you have a risk of developing headaches and nausea after the treatment that may persist for a few hours, and there is a small risk of having a seizure during a treatment to the brain. Although brain tumours independently increase your risks of having a seizure, as does radiation to the brain [18].

Before the treatment you will be asked to remove anything metal or anything that may interfere with the electromagnetic field. This includes jewellery, clothing with zips and buckles, cell phones, wallets etc. You may also be asked to empty your bladder.

During the treatment you will lie on the Hyperthermia bed, with the treatment area covered with medical paper toweling, and the electrode will be placed onto your body. The electrode will begin to feel warm during the treatment, however it should never feel uncomfortably hot. The process should be pain free and relaxing. Most people fall asleep during the treatment.

The duration of a Hyperthermia treatment can vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the site of the tumour. The treatment is very safe, and you are therefore able to have friends or family members in the room during the treatment. You will also be able to listen to music, or audio books, or watch movies or shows on our screen during your treatment.

 Hyperthermia is currently only covered by three medical aids in South Africa with other applications in process. 

Various types of Hyperthermia have been developed to heat tumours at different sites within the body. The methods used to heat tumours include antenna-array focused electromagnetic energy, radio-frequency inductive or capacitive heating, ultrasound, or infra-red heating.

Whole body Hyperthermia

Whole body Hyperthermia aims to raise the temperature of the entire body. There are several institutions in Europe and America which are applying whole body Hyperthermia for people in whom the cancer has spread to various parts of the body. Studies are already available, and more studies are being conducted on the use of whole-body Hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy. The results are positive [14-16].

Increasing the whole-body temperature increases the heart rate, breathing rate and perspiration. The functioning of the kidneys is also altered during whole body Hyperthermia. This makes whole body Hyperthermia challenging to administer and to ensure a safe treatment, the patient must be carefully monitored to make sure that their body is not under too much stress. Whole body Hyperthermia is therefore only done by experienced clinicians in controlled environments with specialised equipment.

Regional Hyperthermia

Regional Hyperthermia involves the heating of the general region in which the tumour is found (for example the abdomen, chest area or a limb). Regional heating is most achieved by isolated perfusion of organs or limbs, or by irrigation of body cavities. 

These techniques are invasive and carry high risks and therefore also require experienced and skilled clinicians. Deep heating techniques using radio-frequency and microwave energy have also been developed. Challenges with these techniques include burns and damage to healthy tissue.

Local Hyperthermia

Local Hyperthermia involves heating up only the tumour using external or internal energy sources. Different types of energy can be used, such as radio-frequency, microwaves, or ultrasound. For superficial tumours, infrared light can also be used to heat the tumour.

Some tumours are accessible through body cavities. In these cases, the probes can be inserted via the body cavity (eg oral cavity, rectum, vagina, urethra), instead of surgically inserted (as is the case in interstitial heating). Body cavities, such as the mouth, rectum, and urethra, provide access to tumours of the digestive tract, urinary tract, and prostate (in men). In women, the vagina can provide access to some tumours of the female reproductive system. In these cases the probes can be inserted directly [18].

 Your first port of call is your Oncologist. Your Oncologist will be able to tell you if you are eligible for treatment. If you are eligible for treatment or would like more information, please contact us directly.