The use of 2450 megahertz of microwave in cancer therapy; a pilot study.

Contraindications to microwave diathermy traditionally include malignant tumors. This paper describes a pilot study of tissue hyperthermia treatment (average 42.5 degrees C, 108.5 degrees F) for superficial cancers, using 2450 megahertz of microwave diathermy. Tissue temperatures were recorded for prolonged periods of time, and tumor responses to heat alone, or to heat combined with radiation therapy, were observed. Such treatments were tolerated by the patients, but were not without side effects. Preliminary results of this pilot study, as well as those of other investigators, showed that tissue hyperthermia would be a useful treatment modality for cancer therapy. The familiarity of physical therapists with microwave diathermy may be an asset to them as clinicians. Physical therapists, however, should not attempt to treat cancer patients alone. Further clinical research in the area should be conducted in the proper setting under the guidance of an oncologist.