Future Trends in Heating Technology of Deep-Seated Tumors

Abstract

Earlier predictions of the future trends in thermometry have been published and these provide additional insights into this issue (Oleson 1984; Lin 1984; Cetas and Roemer 1984). A primary benefit desired from hyperthermia is to provide an effective adjunctive therapy for deep-seated tumors which have responded poorly to conventional therapies. Optimism regarding this benefit is encouraged by the results of combined treatments of superficial tumors (Overgaard 1984). Researchers in hyperthermia feel that its major benefit may someday be found in the deep-heating of tumors (Oleson 1984). Many patient deaths occur from failure to control the primary tumor in deep tumor sites. Mortality in adult males is highest when the primary sites of disease occur in the lungs, colorectal area, prostate, or pancreas. In adult females the highest rate occurs when the primary sites are the breasts, lungs, colorectal area, or ovaries. A common problem with the conventional therapies of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy is the failure to control these primary disease sites. These disease sites are often located many centimeters below the skin surface, which creates a difficult problem for hyperthermia because the physics of penetrating deeply does not lend itself to increased precision. Improving the control of these primary sites is expected to improve the cure rates for patients without metastatic disease.