Hyperthermia in cancer treatment - temperature control

Hyperthermia - a significant increase in temperature body, which can sometimes lead to very serious consequences, including - to the death. Causes of hyperthermia can be a variety of diseases, overheating (its most severe form - heat stroke), and taking certain medications. But hyperthermia Hyperthermia - when the body is overheated   also called a kind of therapy in which the high temperature is used in a controlled environment for the treatment of various diseases. Hyperthermia is used to treat cancer.

When the cells of the body are exposed to temperatures much higher than the norm within the cells begin to occur changes. These changes may make cells more susceptible to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Very high temperatures can kill cancer cells, but they also damage healthy cells and tissues. Therefore, hyperthermia should be used very carefully, and it should be conducted by specialists who have sufficient experience in the application of this type of therapy.

The idea of ​​using heat to treat cancer appeared some time ago, but the earliest experiments in this direction was given mixed results. For example, it has been difficult to maintain the desired temperature in a given area, thus limiting its effect on other parts of the body. But today, new tools allow better control of the procedure and allow the use of high temperature and accurately directed. With this began actively explore the possibility of hyperthermia in cancer treatment.

How can I use hyperthermia for cancer treatment

Hyperthermia can be used in two ways:

• Very high temperatures can be used for the destruction of the cells forming a tumor. This treatment is also called local hyperthermia or thermal ablation.
• The temperature of the body (or even the whole body) can be raised to a level above the norm. It is not enough to kill the cancer cells directly, but it can increase the effectiveness of other treatment - such as radiotherapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Other names for this type of treatment - regional hyperthermia or hyperthermia general (as well - the whole body hyperthermia).

Local hyperthermia

Local hyperthermia is used to heat a small area of ​​tissue, such as tumors. Very high temperatures destroy cancer cells, induce clotting proteins and destroy blood vessels. The area, which has an impact, almost "baked." For heating the target site may be used radio waves, ultrasonic waves, microwaves and other energy forms. Local hyperthermia in which ultrasound is used, called high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU; often abbreviated English name of the procedure - HIFU).

To raise the temperature of target areas using two different methods. Using the first of which energy is directed at the tumor from the outside through the skin surface. Another method is that the tumor is injected directly into a thin needle, the tip of which is held by energy heats the tissue.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation - is probably the most commonly used form of local hyperthermia. For this kind of therapy using radio waves.

The tumor is administered long thin needle for a short period of time - usually 10-30 minutes. To accurately introduce the needle into the target site, used ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Through the needle into the tumor receives radio waves that heat it up 500-100S and kill cells which form it. The dead cells are not removed; they become scar tissue and gradually reduced.

Radiofrequency Ablation is most often used to treat tumors that can not be removed surgically, or in cases where patients for any reason contraindicated surgery. The procedure can be repeated if the tumor starts to grow again, or it could not remove the first time. Radiofrequency ablation can also be used as a supplement to other forms of treatment - surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hepatic arterial infusion, alcohol ablation or chemoembolization.

This therapy is effective in treatment of tumors that do not exceed 5 cm. In most cases, RF ablation current is applied to liver cancer Liver cancer: prognosis is poor, but there is hope , Kidneys and lungs; the possibility of its use in the treatment of tumors formed elsewhere in the body, is now intensively investigated. Long-term results of radiofrequency ablation is not yet known, but the available data are encouraging.

Regional hyperthermia

At regional hyperthermia heated certain part of the body - the body, limb, or cavity. Typically, this is combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy Radiotherapy in cancer treatment: irradiation aid .

One type of this species is called hyperthermia therapy or isolated regional perfusion. To use this method, the blood circulation in a particular part of the body is isolated from the rest of the circulatory system. Blood is pumped from the target area in a heating device, and then fed back - thus the temperature of separate parts of the body increases. Simultaneously, the infusion may be made of a chemotherapeutic drug.

To perform this procedure, required surgery to change the blood flow in targeted parts of the body. Isolated perfusion is often performed under general anesthesia. The temperature of the target site can be increased to 40-45 C, depending on what part of the body in need of treatment. Currently, we examine the possibility of regional perfusion in the treatment of cancers that develop in the arms and legs - such as Kaposi Sarcoma - a full recovery possible   and melanoma.

Similar techniques in combination with surgery may be used to treat cancer tumors formed in the peritoneum (the area in which are located the intestines and digestive organs). During the operation, the heated chemotherapeutic drugs will circulate in the abdominal cavity. This method is called hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion, or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Studies have shown that it is effective in treating certain types of cancer, but it is unclear whether it is more effective than other, more traditional methods.

There is another method, known as deep hyperthermia. It uses devices that are placed on the surface of an organ or body cavity; they emitted radio waves or microwaves heats the target site.

Whole body hyperthermia

Total hyperthermia or hyperthermia of the whole body is studied as a treatment for metastatic cancer. The body temperature of the patient can be lifted with the help of blankets, moistened with warm water, immersion in warm water, electric blankets and a special room inside which set the desired temperature (in the steam room or a large incubator). During therapy, the body temperature can be raised to a level that it reaches when the person is hot. In several studies, scientists have tried to raise the temperature even higher - up to 41.6 C, but only for a short period of time. According to a study carried out in humans, the immune cells in the body become more active, as a minimum for several hours after the procedure.