FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment in which tumors are exposed to elevated body temperatures, between 104˚ and 113°F. Research has shown that high temperatures can damage and kill cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to healthy tissues. Higher temperatures selectively damage cells that are hypoxic and have low pH, a condition of tumor cells, and not a condition of healthy cells. Hyperthermia has been shown to inhibit cellular repair mechanisms, induce heat-shock proteins, denature proteins, induce apoptosis, and inhibit angiogenesis.

Currently, there is no establish peer-reviewed clinical evidence demonstrating that there are non-thermal benefits to RF Hyperthermia as claimed by capacitive system manufacturer Oncotherm.  It has been established that the generation of heat generated from cell excitation is the primary factor in tumor response from RF hyperthermia.  A second theorized effect for a non-thermal benefit of RF hyperthermia theorized for over 30 years, yet unproven in the treatment of cancer.  Dr. Wust and his team at Charité–Universitätsmedizinin Berlin have developed the theoretical framework to study the topic. Non-thermal effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, Peter Wust, Aug. 2020 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69561-3

Tumour hypoxia is a situation where tumor cells have been deprived of oxygen. As a tumor grows, it rapidly outgrows its blood supply, leaving portions of the tumor with regions where the oxygen concentration is significantly lower than in healthy tissues.Heat shock proteins are a family of proteins that are produced by cells in response to exposure to stressful conditions. Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death (PCD). Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels.

Superficial hyperthermia approaches are used to treat tumors that are in or within 3cm of the skin. External applicators are positioned around or near the appropriate region, and energy is focused on the tumor to raise its temperature. The BSD-500 shows excellent results in clinical studies on recurrent and progressive Melanoma, Squamous or basal-cell carcinoma, recurrent chest wall tumors, breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma and Adenocarcinoma.

The BSD-500 can bring therapeutic hyperthermia to solid tumors via catheters placed into the body, usually done during the brachytherapy process. The BSD-500 delivers energy to a patient using a power source and an array of multiple antennas inserted into the catheters. RF energy is applied at 915 MHz to provide an optimized heating zone targeted to the tumor region by utilizing the adjustment of phase and amplitude from multiple power sources.

Hyperthermia increases the effectiveness of radiation therapy due to the independent cytotoxic effects of hyperthermia combined with its radiosensitizing effects. Hyperthermia increases blood flow, resulting in improved tissue oxygenation and thus increased radiosensitivity. Hyperthermia also interferes with cellular repair of the DNA damage caused by radiation. Hyperthermia damages cells that are hypoxic have a low pH and are in the S-phase of division, which is all conditions that make cells resistant to radiation therapy. The addition of hyperthermia does not usually increase the toxicity of radiation therapy.

Hyperthermia used in combination with chemotherapy increases the drug concentration in the tumor region due to increased blood flow, thus raising the effectiveness of cytostatic drugs. Also, hyperthermia has been proven to enhance drug toxicity in cells resistant to many drugs.

There is a lifetime limit to the amount of radiation a patient can be exposed to. So doctors must look for alternative therapies when treating cancer that has returned. This is where clinical trials flourish. It was found that hyperthermia sensitized tumors to radiation treatment allowing Radiation oncologists to treat recurrent cancer with less toxicity.

Numerous clinical trials have studied hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. These studies have focused on the treatment of many types of cancer, including sarcoma, melanoma, and cancers of the head and neck, brain, lung, esophagus, breast, bladder, rectum, liver, appendix, cervix, and peritoneal lining (mesothelioma). Many of these studies have shown a significant reduction in tumor size when hyperthermia is combined with other treatments.

The Hyperthermia process does not harm, is non-toxic, and is non-invasive. Most normal tissues are not damaged during hyperthermia if the temperature remains under 111°F. However, due to regional differences in tissue characteristics, higher temperatures may occur in various spots. This can result in burns (9.9%), pain (8.4%), ulceration (3.6%) and infection (1.8%). Perfusion techniques can cause tissue swelling, blood clots, bleeding, and other damage to the normal tissues in the perfused area; however, most of these side effects are temporary. (National Institute of Health)

Hyperthermia is almost always used with other forms of cancer therapy, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy . Hyperthermia may make some cancer cells more sensitive to radiation or harm other cancer cells that radiation cannot damage. When hyperthermia and radiation therapy are combined, they are often given within an hour of each other. Hyperthermia can also enhance the effects of certain anticancer drugs.