Local hyperthermia for cancer
Local hyperthermia for cancer
Local deep hyperthermia - targeted heat against tumors
Local deep hyperthermia is an innovative method of supportive cancer therapy in which only the affected tissue or organ is heated to 40 °C to 42 °C. Healthy surrounding tissue remains largely unharmed. Healthy surrounding tissue remains largely unharmed – the organism is subjected to significantly less stress than with conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Mechanism of action of local hyperthermia
A significant therapeutic effect is the activation of the immune system:
The targeted overheating causes tumour cells to form so-called heat shock proteins (HSP) – specific surface markers that the immune system recognizes as “alarm signals”. This makes cancer cells visible and vulnerable to attack, while healthy cells remain unaffected.
Advantages of local deep hyperthermia
- Precise treatment of only the diseased tissue
- Protection of healthy structures
- Activation of the immune system by HSP
- Improved effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- Possibility of reactivating previously ineffective therapies
- Hardly any side effects, can be performed on an outpatient basis
Local deep hyperthermia is a targeted, well-tolerated procedure which, in combination with other forms of therapy, can significantly improve the treatment outcome – particularly in the case of localized tumours and therapy-resistant cancers.
Procedure for local deep hyperthermia
The treatment usually lasts 60 to 120 minutes. The patient lies relaxed on a treatment bed at a pleasant temperature. A special applicator is used to direct modulated short waves into the affected area of the body. While the surrounding healthy tissue remains largely untouched, the energy is concentrated in the tumor region. Temperatures of up to 42 °C to 45 °C are generated there, which can specifically damage or destroy cancer cells.
As with our whole-body hyperthermia, local treatment also takes place in a calm, therapeutic atmosphere – with individual, caring support from our experienced team in our day clinic.
Successful areas of application
Local deep hyperthermia has proven to be particularly effective in the following cases
- Peritoneal metastases (peritoneal carcinomatosis)
- Local recurrences, e.g. in the area of the female breast
- Brain tumors
- Skin tumors (e.g. melanomas)
- Bone metastases
- Lung carcinomas
- Tumors in the abdomen
- Prostate carcinomas
- Inoperable tumors
It is used for:
- Carcinomas of various organs
- Recurrences (relapses)
- Metastasis formation
- Tumors of the pancreas, gallbladder and kidneys
Therapy principle
Local hyperthermia is individually tailored and often carried out in combination with conventional medical and biological therapy methods. The aim is to improve treatment success while placing as little strain on the body as possible.
Comparison: Local deep hyperthermia vs. conventional cancer therapies
Criterion | Local deep hyperthermia | Conventional therapies (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery) |
Intervention in the organism | Non-invasive, no strain on the body | Partly highly invasive, stressful |
Anesthesia required | No | Yes, often during surgery |
Side effects | Little to none | Frequent (e.g. tiredness, nausea, hair loss) |
Pain during therapy | None | Possible (e.g. postoperative, during radiation) |
Form of treatment | Outpatient | Partially stationary required |
Integration into other therapies | Can be combined very well | Depending on the form of therapy |
Immunological effect | Promotes immune response through heat shock proteins | No targeted immunological stimulation |
Aiming accuracy | Very targeted on tumor tissue | Partly unspecific, also affects healthy tissue |
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.