In general, during the treatment of cancerous tumors a patient may receive radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Although these treatments can be beneficial in some cases, an innovative technology called hyperthermia can be used in association with these treatments to increase their effectiveness.
The hyperthermia is used to injure and kill cancer cells. It could also make the cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain anticancer agents, which can reduce the number of necessary radiotherapy sessions. Furthermore, the side effects are also minimal.
Before this procedure, a scanner is directed to locate the tumor region accurately. During the treatment with hyperthermia, the affected area is heated superficially with an applicator. It is placed on the patient and sometimes filled with liquid in order to adapt to the morphology of the patient. Microwaves are used to heat the area.
The body tissues are exposed to high temperatures up to 43 degrees approximately. The heat which passes through the body dilates the blood vessels around the tumor resulting in the spread of red blood cells carrying oxygen in the tumor.
When the patient is then exposed to an external beam, the rays react with the high rates of oxygen in the tumor killing the tumor cells.
This procedure can take up to an hour and is performed twice per week as long as the radiotherapy is serious.
Although these treatments can be beneficial in some cases, an innovative technology called hyperthermia can be used in association with these treatments to increase their effectiveness.
The hyperthermia is used to injure and kill cancer cells. It could also make the cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain anticancer agents, which can reduce the number of necessary radiotherapy sessions. Furthermore, the side effects are also minimal.
Before this procedure, a scanner is directed to locate the tumor region accurately. During the treatment with hyperthermia, the affected area is heated superficially with an applicator. It is placed on the patient and sometimes filled with liquid in order to adapt to the morphology of the patient. Microwaves are used to heat the area.
The body tissues are exposed to high temperatures up to 43 degrees approximately. The heat which passes through the body dilates the blood vessels around the tumor resulting in the spread of red blood cells carrying oxygen in the tumor.
When the patient is then exposed to an external beam, the rays react with the high rates of oxygen in the tumor killing the tumor cells.
This procedure can take up to an hour and is performed twice per week as long as the radiotherapy is serious.
