Hyperthermia Cancer Treatment Centers - Centers for Excellence

Beginning in the 1970s, hyperthermia cancer treatment centers were constructed to help people with cancer and various tumors. The use of heat as a treatment has been used for centuries, but its effectiveness is only just now starting to be understood. In hyperthermic treatments, the targeted area or tumors is exposed to slightly elevated temperatures. When used in conjunction with radiation therapy and other cancer drugs, the increased heat helps the body fight off the cancer or tumors. While targeted hyperthermia is an accepted treatment method, the use of whole body heat treatments is still considered experimental. In patients with depression though, whole body heat therapy has shown to help deal with those symptoms.

Hyperthermia cancer treatment is effective because many tumors or cancerous regions do not contain structured vascular systems. This makes it much more difficult for those areas to dissipate heat. When an area is targeted for hyperthermic treatment, the healthy tissue surrounding the area is able to dissipate the heat more easily, allowing it to avoid damage. Even in situations where the heat itself does not damage the tumors, the cells become more susceptible to other, more traditional, cancer treatments.

While some hyperthermic treatments can kill cancer cells directly, it has been found to be much more effective when paired with other cancer treatments. The heat will help open and expand existing blood flow. The expanded flow will help saturate the affected areas with any treatment drugs the patient is taking. The increased temperature can also stimulate the immune system of the body, which is tricked into believing there is a fever.

The time of treatment varies depending upon the specific goals established by the physician. Most sessions last approximately an hour. Treatments are generally not give more than twice a week. This is because cells can build a tolerance to the heat, and by spacing at least three days between treatments, this tolerance can be avoided.

There are several methods of delivering heat to the targeted areas. Some methods involve the use of expensive machinery such as an ultrasound or infrared sauna. Other times the heat is delivered by the infusion of warm liquids or the direct application of heat. In many cases, the physician will simply have the patient enter a hot room, wear a special heat suit, and give him or her a warm blanket. The heat can be delivered locally, regionally or to the entire body, depending on the type and progression of the cancer or tumor.

Patients should be encouraged to seek out hyperthermia cancer treatment centers and talk to their oncologists about this treatment option. While often ineffective as a treatment option on its own, hyperthermic treatment has shown in many studies to radically increase the effectiveness of other treatments.