Whole-body hyperthermia in cancer therapy: a report of a phase I-II study.
Twenty-seven patients were treated with whole-body hyperthermia alone or in combination with either chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Whole-body hyperthermia was performed in the Pomp-Siemens cabin with hot air and a warm water mattress, the patient being covered with plastic film to avoid cooling by perspiration. The heat treatment lasted for 2 hr at 41.8-42.0 degrees C. Toxicity, such as liver damage and respiratory problems, was considerable. There were two fatalities. Hyperthermia gave an improved therapeutic effect in 6 of the patients. Considerable pain relief was observed in 8 of 10 patients. Whole-body hyperthermia at 42 degrees C can be effective but the potential toxicity limits its use to those patients with severe complaints for whom no other palliative treatment is available.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001831:Body Temperature; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D013997:Time Factors