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What is oncological hyperthermia?

Oncological hyperthermia is an alternative technique for treating cancer tumours which aims to destroy the tumour through heat. Hyperthermia was the first treatment for cancer in human history, but due to poor accuracy and the risks involved, it is no longer part of standard medical treatment for cancer. However, there are a limited number of clinical trials in the UK looking at whether modern technologies can deliver heat treatment in a much more targeted and controllable fashion.

Why is oncological hyperthermia performed?

Oncological hyperthermia may be combined with medically proven treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, or it may be administered on its own as an alternative therapy. Current research looks at whether hyperthermia can play a role in improving the effectiveness of current cancer therapies.

What does oncological hyperthermia consist of?

Hyperthermia consists of applying a thermal field that focuses on the area where the malignant tumour is located. Access to the tumour depends on where it is so the invasiveness of the procedure varies. Depending on the size of the tumour and its aggressiveness, you may need multiple courses of treatment.

When combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, some forms of hyperthermia can be carried out without side effects as the cells are only treated to a few degrees above body temperature.

Aftercare

As with all cancer treatments, it is important to have follow-up tests and scans to check on the progress of the tumour. Depending on the results, your doctor may recommend further hyperthermia treatment, or another form of cancer treatment.