Radiofrequency capacitive hyperthermia for superficial malignant-tumors.

Eighteen patients with inoperable head, neck and upper chest wall cancers underwent radiofrequency hyperthermia in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (HCR therapy). Of the eighteen patients, three showed complete response (CR); eight, partial response (PR); four, no change (NC); and three. progressive disease (PD). The overall efficacy (%CR+PR) was 61.1%. The efficacy tended to be higher in the patients treated with a maximal intratumoral temperature over or equal to 43-degrees-C (71%) than that in patients treated with under 43-degrees-C (25%). As the local control of the tumors was not related with their prognosis it is important that the patients should undergo not only regional hyperthermia but also systemic chemotherapy. Eight patients, who had suffered from heat burns, have all been cured by conservative therapy. These results suggested that HCR therapy might be useful in treating inoperable superficial malignant tumors, and be well tolerated under protection from skin bums.