Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia
About the clinic
The clinics are located in Switzerland and northern Germany.
Questions about hyperthermia?
Contact us for a non-binding consultation.
Hyperthermia in cancer therapy
Targeted heat - effective against cancer cells, gentle on healthy tissue
Hyperthermia uses the targeted overheating of body or tumor tissue to damage cancer cells and activate the immune system – without significantly affecting healthy tissue.
Why does hyperthermia work against cancer cells?
Tumor cells are much more sensitive to heat than healthy cells. Damaged cancer cells begin to disintegrate at temperatures of around 40 °C. At the same time, a group of special proteins, so-called heat shock proteins (HSP), are formed in the tumor cells. These proteins mark the cancer cells as “foreign” and make them visible to the immune system.
This activates the body’s own killer cells, which specifically attack the unmasked tumor cells and initiate their programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Additional therapeutic effects of hyperthermia
In addition to the direct destruction of cancer cells, hyperthermia has other important mechanisms of action:
- Improved blood flow to tumor tissue
→ Increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy - Oxygen deficiency, nutrient deficiency and hyperacidity in tumor cells
→ Blocks their repair mechanisms - Reactivation of previously ineffective therapies
→ Combination therapies can be significantly more successful
Hyperthermia targets the weak points of tumor cells and at the same time boosts the immune response and sensitivity to therapy. Today, it is considered to be one of the most promising adjuvant forms of treatment in integrative cancer medicine.
Hyperthermia is a particularly effective component of holistic cancer therapy.
FAQ on hyperthermia
What is hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia is a heat-based cancer therapy that can make radiotherapy and chemotherapy significantly more effective. Targeted heating of the tumor tissue (40-43 °C) improves blood circulation and the absorption of medication. At the same time, cancer cells become more sensitive, while healthy tissue is spared.
How does hyperthermia treatment work?
The temperature distribution is calculated individually before therapy (e.g. with Sigma-Hyperplan).
During the treatment, the patient lies in a ring applicator (BSD 2000 3D) that emits electromagnetic waves.
A session lasts around 90 minutes in total, including a warm-up phase of around 30 minutes.
The patient is monitored by a medical team throughout the treatment – with direct visual and voice contact.
How often is hyperthermia used?
The frequency depends on the diagnosis.
As a rule, treatment is carried out 1-2 times a week in parallel with radiotherapy or chemotherapy – usually over a period of 5-7 weeks. For certain tumor types (e.g. soft tissue sarcomas), hyperthermia is administered twice per chemotherapy cycle.
How long does a session last?
The pure heat therapy lasts around 60 minutes.
With preparation and follow-up (positioning, temperature measurement, etc.), the entire treatment lasts around 90 minutes.
Can the treatment be carried out on an outpatient basis?
Depending on the center, treatment can be carried out on an outpatient or day-care basis. A short inpatient stay may be necessary if chemotherapy is being administered at the same time.
Are there any side effects?
Hyperthermia is considered to be very well tolerated.
Possible, rare side effects are:
- Slight reddening of the skin or a feeling of pressure
- Temporary tissue swelling
- rarely fatty tissue reactions (necrosis), which heal without consequences
No serious side effects are known.
When is hyperthermia particularly useful?
Hyperthermia is particularly recommended for
- Soft tissue sarcoma (with chemotherapy)
- Cervical carcinoma (with radiotherapy)
- Breast cancer recurrence after previous radiotherapy
It can also have a supportive effect on local tumor recurrences or tumors with poor blood supply.
Who should not be treated?
Hyperthermia is not suitable for:
- Patients with pacemakers
- Metal implants in the treatment area
- Pregnant women
- Patients with severe cardiovascular diseases
Does the health insurance company cover the costs?
The costs are not generally covered by the statutory health insurance companies.
Reimbursements are only possible for certain indications, for example:
- Soft tissue sarcomas
- certain cervical carcinomas
Private insurances or supplementary insurances may cover all or part of the costs in individual cases.
Our patient care team will be happy to help you with questions regarding cost clarification and applications.
Free advice on hyperthermia
Our team of experts will draw up an individual treatment plan for you and answer all your questions about hyperthermia. Take the opportunity to get to know an innovative cancer therapy.