Vol 8, No 5 (2012)
Review paper
Published online: 2012-11-27
The role of hyperthermia in oncological treatment
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2012;8(5):178-188.
Abstract
In oncology, hyperthermia is known as the procedure of raising the temperature of a part or the whole
body to damage cells of the neoplasm or significantly suppress tumour growth. It is applied with other
modalities such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy. The article provides an
overview of biological mechanisms of heat-induced cell death as well as radio- and chemo-sensitization
and presents clinical benefits and risks of using hyperthermia in combination with other methods of
oncological treatment. It also discusses various types of hyperthermia and heating devices. The paper
concludes with a summary of current trials connected with the issue and future research directions.
body to damage cells of the neoplasm or significantly suppress tumour growth. It is applied with other
modalities such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy. The article provides an
overview of biological mechanisms of heat-induced cell death as well as radio- and chemo-sensitization
and presents clinical benefits and risks of using hyperthermia in combination with other methods of
oncological treatment. It also discusses various types of hyperthermia and heating devices. The paper
concludes with a summary of current trials connected with the issue and future research directions.
Keywords: hyperthermiaoncological treatmentneoplasmradiotherapychemotherapy