Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Focused microwave phased array thermotherapy for primary breast cancer

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

A pilot safety study of focused microwave phased array thermotherapy in the treatment of primary breast carcinomas was conducted.

Methods

Ten patients with breast carcinomas beneath the skin surface that ranged in maximal clinical size from 1 to 8 cm (mean, 4.3 cm) were treated with the breast compressed in the prone position. We planned to deliver a tumor thermal dose equivalent to 60 minutes at 43°C. Breast imaging and pathology data were used to assess efficacy.

Results

For the 10 patients, the mean tumor equivalent thermal dose was 51.7 minutes, the mean peak tumor temperature was 44.9°C, and the mean treatment time was 34.7 minutes. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated a significant reduction in tumor size (mean, 41%) 5 to 18 days after thermotherapy in 6 (60%) of 10 patients. A significant tumor response on the basis of reduction in tumor size or significant tumor cell kill occurred in 8 (80%) of 10 patients.

Conclusions

With sufficient skin cooling, delivery of focused microwave phased array thermotherapy is safe in treating breast carcinomas when used alone, and some potential efficacy was demonstrated at the tumor thermal doses administered. Increased tumor thermal dose efficacy studies in larger patient populations for improved breast conservation should be investigated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Vernon CC, Hand JW, Field SB, et al. Radiotherapy with or without hyperthermia in the treatment of superficial localized breast cancer: results from five randomized controlled trials.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1996;35:731–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Valdagni R, Amichetti M. Report of long-term follow-up in a randomized trial comparing radiation therapy and radiation therapy plus hyperthermia to metastatic lymphnodes in stage IV head and neck patients.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1993;28:163–9.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Overgaard J, Gonzalez Gonzalez D, Hulshof MCCH, et al. Hyperthermia as an adjuvant to radiation therapy of recurrent or metastatic malignant melanoma. A multicentre randomized trial by the European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology.Int J Hyperthermia 1996;12:3–20.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. van der Zee J, Gonzalez Gonzalez D, van Rhoon GC, van Dijk JDP, van Putten WLJ, Hart AAM. Comparison of radiotherapy alone with radiotherapy plus hyperthermia in locally advanced pelvic tumors: a prospective, randomised, multicentre trial.Lancet 2000;355:1119–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Takahashi M, Fujimoto S, Kobayashi K, et al. Clinical outcome of intraoperative pelvic hyperthermochemotherapy for patients with Dukes’ C rectal cancer.Int J Hyperthermia 1994;10:749–54.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Sugimachi K, Kuwano H, Ide H, Toge T, Saku M, Oshiumi Y. Chemotherapy combined with or without hyperthermia for patients with oesophageal carcinoma: a prospective randomized trial.Int J Hyperthermia 1994;10:485–93.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hall EJ,Radiobiology for the Radiologist. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott Co, 1994:262–3.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Perez CA, Brady LW,Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott Co, 1992:396–7.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gerhard H, Klinger HG, Gabriel E. Short term hyperthermia: in vitro survival of different human cell lines after short exposure to extreme temperatures. In: Streffer C, ed.Cancer Therapy by Hyperthermia and Radiation. Baltimore: Urban & Schwarzenberg, 1978:201–3.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Vargas H, Block J, Gardner R, Vogel C, Fenn A. Clinical trial of the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of focal microwave hyperthermic treatment of breast cancer. Paper presented at: 22nd Meeting of the International Clinical Hyperthermia Society, in conjunction with the American Society of Clinical Hyperthermic Oncology; September 23–25, 1999; Los Angeles, CA.

  11. Fisher B, Anderson S, Redmond CK, Wolmark N, Wickerham DL, Cronin WM. Reanalysis and results after 12 years of follow-up in a randomized clinical trial comparing total mastectomy with lumpectomy with or without irradiation in the treatment of breast cancer.N Engl J Med 1995;333:1456–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Harris JR, Lippman ME, Veronesi U, Willett W. Breast cancer.N Engl J Med 1992;327:390–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Schnitt SJ, Abner A, Gelman R, et al. The relationship between microscopic margins of resection and the risk of local recurrence in patients with breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy.Cancer 1994;74:1746–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Treatment of early-stage breast cancer.NIH Consens Statement 1990;8(6):1–19.

  15. Eberlein TJ, Connolly JL, Schnitt SJ, et al. Predictors of local recurrence following conservative breast surgery and radiation therapy. The influence of tumor size.Arch Surg 1990;125:771–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Smart CR, Byrne C, Smith RA, et al. Twenty-year follow-up of the breast cancers diagnosed during the breast cancer detection demonstration project.CA Cancer J Clin 1997;47:134–49.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Fisher B, Brown A, Mamounas E, et al. Effect of preoperative chemotherapy on local-regional disease in women with operable breast cancer: findings from National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-18.J Clin Oncol 1997;15:2483–93.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Chaudhary SS, Mishra RK, Swarup A, Thomas JM. Dielectric properties of normal and malignant human breast tissue at radiowave and microwave frequencies.Indian J Biochem Biophys 1984;21:76–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Joines WT, Zhang Y, Li C, Jirtle RL. The measured electrical properties of normal and malignant human tissues from 50 to 900 MHz.Med Phys 1994;21:547–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Campbell AM, Land DV. Dielectric properties of female human breast tissue measuredin vitro at 3.2 GHz.Phys Med Biol 1992; 37:193–210.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Field SB, Hand JW.An Introduction to the Practical Aspects of Clinical Hyperthermia. New York: Taylor & Francis, 1990:293.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Sapareto SA, Dewey WC. Thermal dose determination in cancer therapy.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1984;10:787–800.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Cheung AY, Dao T, Robinson JE. Dual-beam TEM applicator for direct-contact heating of dielectrically encapsulated malignant mouse tumor.Radio Sci 1977;12(6 Suppl):81–5.

    Google Scholar 

  24. von Hippel AR, Runck AH, Westphal WB,Dielectric Analysis of Biomaterials (Technical Report No. 13, AD-769 843). Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Laboratory for Insulation Research, 1973:16–20.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Bassen H, Herchenroeder P, Cheung A, Neuder S. Evaluation of an implantable electric-field probe within finite simulated tissues. In:Cancer Therapy by Hyperthermia and Radiation: Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium, Essen, Germany, June 2–4, 1977. Baltimore: Urban & Schwarzenberg, 1978:15–25.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Fenn AJ, King GA. Adaptive radio-frequency hyperthermia-phased array system for improved cancer therapy: phantom target measurements.Int J Hyperthermia 1994;10:189–208.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Fenn AJ, Sathiaseelan V, King GA, Stauffer PR. Improved localization of energy deposition in adaptive phased-array hyperthermia treatment of cancer.J Oncol Manage 1998;7(2):22–9.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Fenn AJ, Wolf GL, Fogle RM. An adaptive phased array for targeted heating of deep tumors in intact breast: animal study results.Int J Hyperthermia 1999;15:45–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Gavrilov LR, Hand JW, Hopewell JW, Fenn AJ. Pre-clinical evaluation of a two-channel microwave hyperthermia system with adaptive phase control in a large animal.Int J Hyperthermia 1999;15:495–507.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Fenn AJ, Bornstein BA, Svensson GK, Bowman HF. Minimally invasive monopole phased arrays for hyperthermia treatment of breast carcinomas: design and phantom tests. In:1994 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility; May 16–20, 1994 Hotel Sendai Plaza 2-30-1 Honcho, Aoba-Ku, Sendai-Shi, Miyagi 980, Ja. IEEE Press, 1994:566–9.

  31. Fenn AJ, King GA. Experimental investigation of an adaptive feedback algorithm for hot spot reduction in radio-frequency phased-array hyperthermia.IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 1994;43: 273–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. von Hippel AR.Dielectric Materials and Applications. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1954:334.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Bassett L, Winchester DP, Caplan RB, et al. Stereotactic core-needle biopsy of the breast: a report of the Joint Task Force of the American College of Radiology, American College of Surgeons, and College of American Pathologists.CA Cancer J Clin 1997; 17:171–90.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Leers MPG, Kolgen W, Bjorklund V, et al. Immunocytochemical detection and mapping of a cytokeratin 18 neo-epitope exposed during early apoptosis.J Pathol 1999;187:567–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Harmon BV, Corder AM, Colins RJ, et al. Cell death induced in a murine mastocytoma by 42–47°C heatingin vitro: evidence that the form of death changes from apoptosis to necrosis above a critical heat load.Int J Radiat Biol 1990;58:854–8.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Breast Care, Columbia Hospital, 4700 North Congress Ave., Suite 201, 33407, West Palm Beach, FL

    Robert A. Gardner MD (Medical Director), Charles L. Vogel MD, Gary V. Kuehl MD & Mariana Doval MD

  2. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California

    Hernan I. Vargas MD & Jerome B. Block MD

  3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lexington, Massachusetts

    Alan J. Fenn PhD

Authors
  1. Robert A. Gardner MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hernan I. Vargas MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jerome B. Block MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Charles L. Vogel MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alan J. Fenn PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Gary V. Kuehl MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Mariana Doval MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert A. Gardner MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gardner, R.A., Vargas, H.I., Block, J.B. et al. Focused microwave phased array thermotherapy for primary breast cancer. Annals of Surgical Oncology 9, 326–332 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02573866

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02573866

Key Words

Search

Navigation