Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik GmbH

Enhanced sensitivity for more efficient cancer treatment

Local hyperthermia involves heating the tumor to a temperature of 42 to 44°C for approximately one hour by means of electromagnetic radiation. The local heating kills cancer cells as well as increases perfusion in the tumor, which improves the efficacy of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The surrounding healthy tissue is able to tolerate the higher temperatures.

Which indications are appropriate for local hyperthermia?

Local hyperthermia is appropriate for treatment of recurrent or progressive tumors located no more than three centimeters below the skin. This treatment is particularly appropriate when used in conjunction with radiation therapy to treat inoperable head and neck (ENT) tumors, recurrent or progressive breast cancer, and melanomas. BSD Medical has developed a special applicator to apply heat therapy in the case of chest wall recurrence due to mammary carcinoma.

Treatment

Every applicator includes a bolus which is placed on the patient’s skin. For treatment, this bolus is filled with circulating water that can be heated as necessary. The bolus serves to physically couple the electromagnetic waves to the patient’s body. The temperature in the tumor is measured by temperature sensors during the treatment. The temperature is then optimized continuously using automatic computer-controlled regulation of the applicator power output. The preparatory and warm-up phase lasts about 30 minutes. The heat therapy itself lasts 60 minutes.

Frequency

Depending on the indications, the hyperthermia treatment is given once or twice a week. The number of sessions depends on the tumor characteristics and ranges between 5 and 10 per patient. When combined with hyperthermia treatment, chemotherapy is administered concurrently; radiation therapy must closely precede or follow the hyperthermia treatment by up to 120 minutes.

Application

Application of local hyperthermia treatment is relatively simple. For the most part, the system is controlled automatically by the computer, which can be operated either via a touchscreen or by means of a mouse and keyboard. First, the patient is placed in a horizontal position. The temperature sensors are affixed to the skin above the tumor or inserted into the tissue through an implantable catheter. The number of temperature sensors used depends on the size of the tumor. The applicator, which is selected on the basis of the size and location of the tumor lesion, is held in the treatment position with the aid of either a support arm or holding straps.