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Local Hyperthermia
Brief description of local hyperthermia
With local hyperthermia, tumour areas are irradiated and reduced in size using (non-radioactive) radio waves.
How does Local Hyperthermia Cancer Treatment work?
In this process, the tumours are heated to temperatures of up to 45 °C with radio waves of a specific wavelength. Above a certain temperature, cancer cells can no longer survive because important cell structures are damaged. Healthy cells usually survive the treatment unharmed because they can tolerate higher temperatures.
Many tumours produce more lactate due to their altered metabolism, creating an acidic environment, which in turn inhibits the function of immune cells. Local hyperthermia makes the tissue less acidic by increasing blood flow to the tumour. This mechanism flushes out acidic substances and transports more oxygen into the tissue.
Hyperthermia also leads to better recognition of tumour cells by the immune system, because heated cancer cells produce certain proteins on their surface. This protein activates the natural killer cells of our immune system.
Certain chemotherapies are strengthened by hyperthermia. At the same time, the side effects decrease. The same applies to radiation therapy. Previously radiation-resistant cancer cells can be killed again in combination with hyperthermia.
The treatment is safe for healthy cells.
Against which types of cancer can it be used?
Local hyperthermia is suitable for all cancers except leukaemia.
Against which types of cancer can it be used?
Local hyperthermia is suitable for all cancers except leukaemia.
