Hyperthermia Therapy for Cancer

It is known that heat can kill cancer cells and damage the blood vessels inside tumors. Hyperthermia treatment uses high temperatures to treat such areas. The damage to cells during hyperthermia can make them more sensitive to the effects of other anti-cancer therapies, chemotherapy and radiation therapy so these treatments are more effective, according to the American Cancer Society.

Local hyperthermia (LHT) generates heat within a localized area of the body, such as a tumor with therapeutic ultrasound frequencies. These frequencies generate deep tumor heating and additional unique physiologic effects (mechanical and biological) that are not achievable with radiant heat, infrared saunas or other forms of local hyperthermia.

Local hyperthermia has a goal temperature of 41°C to 45°C that is sustained for approximately 30 minutes around the affected area. Most of the body remains at the average core temperature with just the tumor increasing in temperature.

Whole-body hyperthermia (WBHT) generates heat throughout the body and enables a temperature balance between 38.5°C to 40.5°C – through vasodilation, or an increase in the size of blood vessels.

Hyperthermia is usually used in conjunction with traditional and complementary anti-cancer medicines that we use here at the clinic, such as vitamin C, artemisinin, alpha-lipoic acid and others. Studies show that hyperthermia creates circulation to an active tumor that helps deliver anti-cancer medicines to the treatment area. Hyperthermia also tends to heat the tumors to a fever temperature which breaks up the surface of the tumor. As this is happening, this assists the immune system in stopping the cancer cells from growing.