Journal of Integrative Oncology

A Brief Overview of Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Gianfranco Baronzio*,Gurdev Parmar,Marco Ballerini,Andras Szasz,Miriam Baronzio,Valter Cassutti

Despite the large economic and intellectual efforts, cancer is still not easily treatable disease by conventional therapies. This led ultimately to reconsider hyperthermia, like one of interesting treatment methods connected to immunity and tumor metabolism. Hyperthermia has also the ability to play an additional role when used together with the conventional methods of treatment: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Recent trials in Holland and Germany have demonstrated that hyperthermia can prolong life and decrease disease re-appraisal when used in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Some tumors seem more responsive than others. In this brief summary we will attempt to give a vision of hyperthermia from a physical stand point, but more importantly we will give clinical and biological aspects. The results obtained in these trials on certain types of cancers such as cervix cancer, recurrent breast cancer and head neck cancer, melanoma, sarcomas, liver, glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer support the use of this technique, although some clinical and technical problems persist and have not been completely resolved.