Hyperthermia

Local and Whole-Body Hyperthermia

Deep hyperthermia involves irradiating tumor tissues with radio waves, provoking the overheating of cancer cells, and is used in combination with other tumor treatment methods. The therapeutic use of heat is the oldest method of cancer treatment in medical history. As early as the 16th century BCE, papyrus scrolls described how the ancient Egyptians cauterized tumor tissues with hot iron objects. This was discovered in 1892 by American Egyptologist Edwin Smith in Luxor. These early attempts to destroy cancer cells involved using burning substances, objects, or heat, which is now known as tissue cauterization, a technique also used to stop bleeding.

Hyperthermia, by its nature, is an artificially induced fever and therapeutic use of heat applied to a specific body part (local hyperthermia) or the entire body (whole-body hyperthermia) under controlled conditions.

Fever therapy induces certain biological reactions in the body that affect the entire body, immune system, and specifically target cancer cells, making it highly beneficial for cancer treatment. Medically induced effects result in immune system modulation, leading to an “internal vaccination” against the tumor. During hyperthermia, to survive, tumor cells start to produce so-called heat shock proteins on their surface. Consequently, cancer cells become more visible and are more easily destroyed by the immune system. Hyperthermia is a highly effective treatment method when combined with other therapies, especially tumor irradiation, as one therapy method enhances the effect of the other. Tumor cells attempt to protect themselves from gamma rays by activating their own repair processes during irradiation and after ionizing radiation or even after several therapy sessions, which is one of the most unfavorable effects caused by irradiation. In the worst-case scenario, cancer cells become stronger, more resilient, and learn to cope with the treatment, becoming even more aggressive than before.

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The heat generated by therapeutic hyperthermia makes cancer cells more sensitive to irradiation, similar to traditional methods using gamma rays. Hyperthermia blocks the repair processes in tumor cells, allowing irradiation to more effectively destroy these cells with less interference. Chemotherapy drugs used in oncology also become much more effective when combined with therapeutic hyperthermia, without increasing their unwanted side effects. Heat induces the so-called “enhancement effect”; consequently, platinum-based chemotherapy drugs have a much better and stronger effect when hyperthermia is applied compared to when the body temperature is normal. The effect of new immunotherapy agents called “checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ipilimumab)” is also intensified with hyperthermia. Immune checkpoints are receptors located on the surface of T lymphocytes that regulate the immune response in the body. In other words, they serve as “instructors” for the immune system. Tumor cells can exploit these receptors to avoid being recognized and attacked by the immune system. These immune system-modulating drugs prevent cancer cells from binding to T lymphocyte checkpoint receptors, allowing the immune system to recognize and combat the degenerative cancer cells. The effect of these drugs is enhanced by the application of heat. Hyperthermia also improves local and general blood flow and microcirculation, facilitating the transport of these drugs to and into the cancer cells (tumor tissue perfusion), making the process much more efficient. Additionally, hyperthermia promotes the vitality of immune cells, which is a key benefit of fever—enhancing the body’s ability to fight inflammation and various pathogens.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does hyperthermia affect the immune system?

Heat stimulates the body’s own defense mechanisms. It has been proven that hyperthermia positively affects our immune system: overheating induces various beneficial immunological effects. For example, even after just one treatment, an increase in the activity of white blood cells can be observed. Patients typically notice these changes through an improvement in their overall condition.

Can hyperthermia also be used for detoxification?

Hyperthermia treatment not only has a beneficial effect on the immune system but also offers another positive “side effect”: overheating activates metabolism and thus stimulates detoxification through the skin. Blood circulation and oxygen supply improve, helping the body to eliminate toxins. Comprehensive blood tests with special diagnostic procedures help track harmful toxins and recommend appropriate detoxification measures.

Does hyperthermia help with skin cancer?

Hyperthermia can also be effectively used in cases of skin cancer to enhance the effectiveness of drug-based treatments. Hyperthermia causes the surface of the skin to overheat, which damages cancer cells and prevents them from growing. Various types of skin cancer and precancerous conditions (cancer precursors), as well as skin metastases, can be successfully treated with hyperthermia, preferably in combination with specific medications. Our doctors develop an appropriate therapy plan with the necessary treatment duration after a detailed preliminary examination.

How long does hyperthermia treatment last?

Local deep hyperthermia treatment usually lasts for one hour. A treatment cycle consists of 10-15 individual sessions, with 2 to 4 sessions per week. Only in special exceptions, such as brain tumors, do you start with a shorter treatment duration. The exact number of sessions in a cycle depends on the individual diagnosis and the personalized therapy plan of all other treatments.

Can hyperthermia be combined with chemotherapy and radiation?

Using hyperthermia as an adjunct to chemotherapy and radiation therapy is highly recommended. Many scientific studies demonstrate the positive impact of hyperthermia in combination with traditional cancer therapies. Hyperthermia improves blood circulation, making it easier for drugs to be absorbed. The synergistic effect of hyperthermia and cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapy agent, for example, can be several times greater than when cisplatin alone is used at normal temperature. Additionally, combining hyperthermia with conventional radiation therapy shows a positive effect without increasing radiation side effects. Cancer cells are not only extremely sensitive to heat, but also repair damage from heat less effectively. This effect has been demonstrated in numerous studies as well.