[Changes in the mouth mucosa during local UHF-hyperthermia and radiotherapy of malignant tumors of the maxillofacial region].

Morphological investigations under experimental conditions have demonstrated that local UHF-hyperthermia at 42-43 degrees C for 30 min does not cause alterative changes of the oral mucosa in animals. The revealed signs of activization of metabolic processes can probably increase radiosensitivity of tumors and their reparation. A favorable course of radiation mucositis was noted after experimental local hyperthermia and irradiation. Morphological changes of the oral mucosa, determined mainly by exposure to radiation, are characterized in the early period by alternative and dystrophic changes, and later on (in 3 mos.) by atrophy and sclerosis. In patients local UHF-hyperthermia had a radiosensitizing effect on the oral mucosa at 40-41,5 degrees C for 30 and 60 min. However it did not prevent the completion of a radical split course in the regimen of dynamic dose fractionation nor did it increase the number of postradiation complications. Under this temperature-time regimen the time of development and a degree of expression of radiation reactions did not depend on the succession of hyperthermia and irradiation, and the time of heating.