Effects of Hyperthermia against Spontaneous Cancers

Abstract

The previous chapters have developed the biological and physical data that suggest the use of hyperthermia as a treatment modality against cancer. In this chapter I’ll present a spectrum of results that show the responses to heat of spontaneous tumors in animals and in man. These are generally in line with the expectations raised by the cellular and murine data. A word of caution: it is essential that the results shown, particularly those relating to human tumors, be regarded in the proper context. To date no controlled clinical trials have taken place; thus, all the results reported are preliminary in nature. Equally importantly, the reported response rates must not be looked upon as reflecting the limits of hyperthermic usefulness. Patients treated were usually suffering from far-advanced disease. In the best protocols, the temperature-time profiles employed as well as fractionation schedules and timing of heat applications when given in conjunction with X-ray therapy, were based on cellular or mouse data. At worst, they were random guesses. Superimposed on the limitation implied by the range of biological uncertainties is the current lack of adequate heating and temperature monitoring equipment.