Prospective thermal dosimetry: the key to hyperthermia's future.
OBJECTIVE
This review summarizes recent results from two randomized trials testing the complete response rate and local control benefits for the addition of hyperthermia to external beam radiation.


METHODS
In both series, there was a statistically significant benefit to adjuvant hyperthermia.


RESULTS
The establishment of a standardized nomenclature for clinical hyperthermia prescription will help to facilitate the broader usage of hyperthermia.


CONCLUSIONS
Carefully conducted phase III trials with rigorous quality assurance must employ prospective thermal dosimetry to validate the role of hyperthermia in multi-modality therapy.
Jones
Ellen
E
Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Jones198@mc.duke.edu
Thrall
Donald
D
Dewhirst
Mark W
MW
Vujaskovic
Zeljko
Z
D000818:Animals; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004285:Dogs; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome