Hyperthermia in cancer treatment: What heat therapy can achieve

Hyperthermia involves the controlled heating of specific areas of the body. Depending on the procedure, temperatures of around 40 to 43 degrees Celsius can be reached in the target area. The heat can alter blood flow to the tumour tissue and make cancer cells more sensitive to radiotherapy or certain drugs. At the same time, the heating can also influence biological processes that are important for the survival of tumour cells.

The key point is that hyperthermia is often combined with another cancer treatment to enhance its effectiveness, not to replace standard treatment.

The technique used depends on the location of the tumour. For superficial tumours, the tumour tissue is heated using locoregional hyperthermia. Regional deep hyperthermia, on the other hand, is used to target deeper-seated tumours. This procedure can be used, for example, for certain tumours in the pelvic or abdominal region.

There is also whole-body hyperthermia. However, this places a much greater strain on the entire body and is only carried out under specific conditions and with intensive monitoring.

Hyperthermia is primarily being investigated and used as a complement to established treatments. For certain types of cancer, combining it with radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be beneficial.

The heat can help make tumour cells more sensitive to ionising radiation, and certain drugs may also be more effective due to the increased blood flow.

Hyperthermia is not a standardised procedure. Therefore, the question ‘Is hyperthermia effective against cancer?’ cannot be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Clinical data are available for certain types of cancer, whilst others have been less extensively researched or are still under investigation. Treatment should therefore take place at a specialised centre where the specific application can be assessed on the basis of the available evidence.

It is also important to draw a clear distinction between this and so-called alternative ‘fever therapies’. Medically administered regional deep hyperthermia is not the same as non-specific heating of the entire body.

During regional deep hyperthermia, the patient lies in a specialised treatment system. The target area is heated using antennas. During the session, which can last around an hour, the patient’s temperature and well-being are, of course, monitored. There is also a warm-up phase. The exact duration and number of sessions depend on the specific treatment plan.

During treatment, a distinct sensation of warmth may also arise, which some patients find unpleasant or painful. In this case, the treatment can be adjusted or stopped.

How well the therapy is tolerated depends on the procedure and the area of the body being treated.

Possible side effects include:

• A sensation of warmth or heat
• Pain in the treated area
• Skin irritation
• Rarely, superficial burns
• Strain on the cardiovascular system

For this reason, patients are closely monitored during treatment. Certain pre-existing conditions may also preclude the use of hyperthermia or require special precautions.

Cost coverage is not automatically guaranteed for every hyperthermia treatment. It may depend on the type of cancer, the procedure, the treating facility and the relevant health insurance provider. It is therefore essential to clarify before treatment begins whether the treatment is medically justified and whether the costs will be covered by the insurance provider.

Hyperthermia can be a useful addition to established therapies for selected types of cancer. However, it does not replace surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The specific type of tumour, the stage of the disease and the scientific evidence supporting the respective combination are decisive factors. A consultation at a specialist centre will help to realistically assess the potential benefits.