Using Heat to Treat Cancer & Reduce Side Effects
Taussig Cancer Institute is the only cancer program in Ohio to offer Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia is a non-invasive method of increasing tumor temperature to stimulate blood flow, increase oxygenation and render tumor cells more sensitive to radiation. By adding hyperthermia to radiation therapy, radiation oncologists can increase tumor control while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Hyperthermia helps address the limitations of radiation for many patients by effectively increasing the radiation dose without increasing in unwanted side effects.
For many cancer patients who experience recurrence, the prognosis is bleak. A second full course of radiation therapy usually is not possible due to the high risk of damage to healthy tissue. Clinical evidence suggests that hyperthermia can, in some cases, allow radiation to be delivered a second time with greater effect on cancer cells, without creating greater complications than radiation alone. While hyperthermia can be used in combination with other therapies to treat primary tumors, the ability to increase the effectiveness of radiation on re-treatment offers new hope for patients with recurrent cancers.
Hyperthermia is used to treat tumors located within a few centimeters of the surface of the body, such as melanoma or recurrent breast cancer. Hyperthermia also can be delivered through a probe, which is useful in treating tumors of the prostate, breast, head and neck, and a variety of other superficial lesions.
Additional Information
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