title: Local hyperthermia and irradiation in cancer therapy.
abstract: The preliminary experience at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology with hyperthermia and irradiation is reported and current issues in clinical application of heat are reviewed. Twenty-nine lesions were treated with 400 rad fractions given every 72 hr (twice weekly) for a total dose of 2400 to 4000 rad followed by hyperthermia (1450-MHz or 915-MHz microwaves, 42.0 degrees -43 degrees, 90 min, every 72 h). Eight of 12 recurrent epidermoid carcinomas of the head and neck showed complete regression (67%) and one more than 50% response. Of 5 metastatic melanoma nodules treated with irradiation an hyperthermia, 4 (80%) showed complete regression of the tumors an 1 almost complete response. Of 9 recurrent adenocarcinoma of breast nodules in the chest wall treated with 3200 to 4000 rad 5 lesions exhibited complete regression and 2 others about 80%. Of 6 lesions treated with 1500 rad and hyperthermia (RTOG protocol), 2 metastatic melanomas showed complete regression (CR) and 3 tumors exhibited partial regression. Of the 35 sites treated, 4 (11%) developed blisters, 7 (20%) erythema only, 3 (8%) moist desquamation and 27 (77%) dry desquamation. Additional clinical trials are in progress to assess the potential value of hyperthermia alone or combined with irradiation in the treatment of selected cancer patients.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*