Hyperthermia uses controlled heat to damage cancer cells, enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation, and stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. St. George Hospital has been a European pioneer in clinical hyperthermia for over 35 years.
Cancer cells are more sensitive to heat than healthy cells. When tumor tissue is heated to 40-44 degrees Celsius, several anti-cancer mechanisms are activated simultaneously.
Elevated temperatures damage the proteins and DNA repair mechanisms within cancer cells, making them more vulnerable to destruction. Heat increases blood flow to the tumor, improving oxygen delivery and making chemotherapy and radiation more effective. Perhaps most importantly, hyperthermia triggers a powerful immune response by releasing heat-shock proteins that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that combining hyperthermia with chemotherapy or radiation can significantly improve response rates compared to either treatment alone. This synergistic effect is the foundation of our integrative oncology protocols.
The entire body is gently heated to 38.5-40.5 degrees Celsius using infrared radiation. This systemic approach activates the immune system broadly, mimicking the body's natural fever response. Particularly effective for metastatic disease and as an immune stimulant. Sessions last 4-6 hours under medical supervision with continuous monitoring of vital signs.
Radiofrequency energy is focused directly on the tumor region, heating cancer tissue to 42-44 degrees Celsius while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. This targeted approach is particularly effective for solid tumors of the abdomen, pelvis, chest, and extremities. Sessions typically last 60-90 minutes and can be combined with same-day chemotherapy.
A specialized transrectal applicator delivers focused heat directly to the prostate gland, achieving therapeutic temperatures within the tumor while protecting surrounding tissue. This approach is used for both primary prostate cancer and recurrent disease, often in combination with other modalities.
Hyperthermia is applicable to a wide range of solid tumors. The most studied and clinically established applications include:
Local-regional and whole-body hyperthermia, especially for recurrent chest wall disease.
Prostate-specific and whole-body protocols for localized and advanced disease.
Local-regional hyperthermia for pelvic tumors, combined with chemotherapy.
Deep regional hyperthermia to enhance chemotherapy penetration in difficult-to-treat tumors.
Whole-body hyperthermia for metastatic disease and immune activation.
One of the most studied applications with strong evidence for improved response rates.
Regional hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas.
Local hyperthermia as adjunct to intravesical chemotherapy.
