Hyperthermia

Introduction

As oncologists we constantly strive to improve the therpapeutic ratio ie to increase the tumour control
and decrease the normal tissue complications.
Hyperthermia has been one of our successful attempts to increase the therapeutic ratio
Since the advent of hyperthermia there has been a lot of curiosity regarding its applications and its
contribution towards tumour control.
Hyperthermia means elevation of temperature to supraphysiologic level​ from 41C-42C​. When the cells
or tumour tissue are subjected to elevated temperature, it acts as a sensitiser for radiation and
chemotherapy.

Mechanism of Hyperthermic Cytotoxicity and Sensitisation

1.The main mechanism of cell killing is by denaturation of important functional and structural proteins within it
like that of the enzymes of the respitatory chain and the DNA repair proteins. They further cause the damage of
the cytoskeleton of the cell.
2.Hyperthermia can augemnt immunologic response via IL 6 mediated trafficking of immune effector cells into
tumors
3.Hyperthermia causes increased vascular perfusion to about 1.5-2 times in tumor tissues.​ This results in
vascular stasis causing extravasation in tumors .HT thus increases transvascular delivery of
monoclonal antibodies and polymeric peptides that can carry drugs or radioisotopes
4.Hyperthermia decreases in ATP and increases in lactate concentration, as the aerobic enzymes are
more sensitive than anaerobic enzymes .A shift toward anaerobic metabolism would decrease oxygen
consumption rates, which could improve tumor oxygenation.
Re-oxygenation is an important factor which determines the success of radiotherapy

In Health Care Global Enterprises , a tertiary super specialty oncology center we use Celsius TCS (Thermo
Cancer Select )System . It uses a Radio frequency of 13.56MHz.
We use it with Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy
During the treatment the patient lies on a soft therapy couch which is divided into 21 equal sized fields . These
fields are provided with 20 cushioned segments and a tile electrode . The position of the electrode can be
changed according to to the area of the body to be treated . There is another electrode mounted on a swivel arm
During the therapy the body region between both the electrodes is perfused by radio-frequency waves at
13.56MHz

Treated with Chemotherapy Treated with Radiotherapy

73 123
4 cases were treated for Pain relief

Curative intent Palliative intent

112 88

In our hospital, we have treated about 200 patients.

Anatomic Site Number of patients treated
Head and Neck 45
Liver 40
Pancreas 20
Others (​Sarcoma, esophagus,cervix, colon and 95
rectum)