More information on hyperthermia can be found below.
The term "hyperthermia" literally means "elevated temperature." Generally speaking, experts use this term to refer to an uncontrolled rise in body temperature caused by an imbalance between heat production and heat loss. This can occur, for example, in cases of heatstroke. It can also be a side effect of a drug intolerance. Drug use can also trigger hyperthermia.
In medicine, however, the term hyperthermia also encompasses the fields of local and regional deep hyperthermia as well as whole-body hyperthermia.
This means that medical professionals artificially raise the body’s temperature, inducing a deliberate fever. Since fever is the body’s natural response to fight off illness, doctors use artificial fever for therapeutic purposes.
Hyperthermia is a treatment method that heats specific areas of the body to up to 43°C for about an hour @ corinne matusiak /AdobeStock
Applications and Benefits of Hyperthermia
Therapeutic hyperthermia is used as an adjunct in the treatment of cancer. It is a complementary method to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The induced fever strengthens the immune system and activates the body’s self-healing abilities. Increased sweating helps flush toxins out of the body. In addition, the induced fever stimulates blood circulation.
The thermological processes in the body, starting at a temperature of 41.5°C, inhibit the growth of tumor tissue and, in some cases, even destroy it. It has been scientifically proven that the heat generated within the body has a detrimental effect on tumors.
The benefit for cancer patients is that cytostatic drugs (cancer medications) can be administered at lower doses, resulting in fewer side effects. During hyperthermia, so-called heat shock proteins (HSPs) are produced, which trigger an alarm response in the body’s own killer cells.
These cells recognize the malignant tumor cells and attack them. In addition, the heat causes the blood vessels to dilate. As a result, tumor areas with poor blood flow receive a better blood supply. This allows the chemotherapy drugs to reach the tumor cells more effectively and quickly, enabling them to combat the cancer more aggressively.
What forms of hyperthermia are there?
There are different variations of hyperthermia treatment. Depending on the method, doctors raise the cancer patient’s body temperature to levels between 40 and 45 degrees.
This is achieved using electromagnetic waves (such as radio waves or microwaves) or ultrasound waves. Sometimes, heated fluids are also administered to the patient to “flush out” specific areas of the body with chemotherapy solutions.
The following methods of hyperthermia exist:
- Superficial (local) hyperthermia
This hyperthermia technique is used when the tumor is no more than four to five centimeters beneath the skin. Doctors perform local hyperthermia when the tumor is located directly beneath the skin’s surface. Or, as in the case of skin metastases, directly on the skin.
The treatment uses microwave, radiofrequency, or ultrasound waves. The best treatment outcomes are achieved when doctors combine local hyperthermia with chemotherapy.
Experts perform local or superficial hyperthermia on an outpatient basis at the clinic. It usually takes about an hour.
- Deep hyperthermia (regional hyperthermia)
In regional hyperthermia, doctors treat not only the area of the body affected by the tumor but also larger areas of the body. This technique aims to reach deeper-seated tumors and metastases. In pancreatic cancer, for example, the upper abdomen is within the hyperthermia field; in colorectal cancer, it is the lower abdomen and pelvic area.
In deep hyperthermia, doctors use electromagnetic waves generated by a ring applicator. The cancer patient lies in a ring-shaped device that irradiates the relevant area of the body.
To better conduct the electromagnetic waves, the patient also lies on a type of waterbed. Through precise control, doctors generate controlled heating that prevents damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
Interstitial hyperthermia is also a form of regional hyperthermia. This specialized technique is used for very small tumors (with a diameter of no more than two centimeters). Examples include prostate cancer and brain tumors.
Doctors insert an applicator into the tumor, where it provides the desired heating. This is usually possible through natural body orifices. If not, the cancer patient receives a local anesthetic or light anesthesia.
- Whole-Body Hyperthermia
In whole-body hyperthermia, experts heat the entire body to up to 42 degrees. Whole-body hyperthermia is primarily used for cancers that affect multiple organs.
Examples include metastases in the bones, liver, or lungs. Doctors also use this method when chemotherapy alone has been unsuccessful. Once the maximum temperature for hyperthermia has been reached, chemotherapy is administered.
What are the risks and side effects?
Hyperthermia treatment generally has few side effects. The biggest concern with hyperthermia treatment is the risk of damage to healthy tissue.
This can lead to redness or localized swelling. Tissue burns are virtually nonexistent with proper monitoring, but cannot be completely ruled out. Occasionally, mild pain may occur at the affected sites, which usually subsides quickly.
Since hyperthermia places a strain on the cardiovascular system, complications may arise in immunocompromised patients or those with pre-existing conditions. For this reason, doctors rarely use whole-body hyperthermia.
Why isn’t hyperthermia a standard treatment?
Currently, hyperthermia is not yet a standard treatment for cancer in Germany, even though it has been included in the medical fee schedule since 1996. As a result, Germany lags behind international standards. Internationally, hyperthermia has already demonstrated significant success. Treatment rates are rising steadily.
However, there are still unanswered questions that stand in the way of hyperthermia treatment:
- Which types of cancer are particularly well-suited for this treatment?
- What is the most effective temperature for each method?
- How can doctors measure and control the temperature more accurately?
- For which type of tumor is which hyperthermia technique the most effective?
- What type of chemotherapy is best combined with each hyperthermia method?
- What time interval should be maintained between hyperthermia and other treatment methods?
Patients should only undergo hyperthermia treatment as part of clinical trials or under scientifically controlled conditions. Several major hospitals in Germany offer this treatment. Cancer patients should avoid alternative treatment approaches.
The therapy may be administered by a physicist or an engineer. A medical technologist (MTA) may also perform hyperthermia under the supervision of a physicist or engineer.
