hyperthermia for lower extremity neoplasms: a review of the literature.

Hyperthermia appears to be an important adjunct to present day cancer therapies. A literary review indicates that at least 60 of the patients studied showed improvement-primarily relief of pain. Radiographically, approximately 50% of the patients demonstrated a remission or decrease in the size of the tumor (4-7, 9, 10). Although further research in hyperthermia continues, amputation of a limb because of osteogenic sarcoma or malignant melanoma may no longer be the primary treatment of choice.