Loco-regional or Local Hyperthermia

Heat Therapy: Treatment Methods and Mode of Action

Electro-hyperthermia uses electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 13.56 MHz, applied externally with a physical device. The patient lies on a special treatment couch between two active electrodes. The application of hyperthermia increases the core temperature in the tissue up to 42° C. If the temperature ranges from 40° to 42° C, the cell membrane changes. In order to protect themselves from cell death, tumour cells form so-called heat shock proteins on their surface. These proteins alter the surface of the tumour’s cell walls. As a result, the tumour cell loses “its camouflage” and can be recognised and tackled by immune cells. Healthy cells are not affected by this procedure, because they do not react to the applied frequency.

A therapy session takes about 1 hour and is usually not stressful. The frequency of application depends on the type of tumour, the individual condition of illness and the orthodox medical therapies administered.

Hyperthermia as An Adjunct to Chemotherapy

The most important positive effects are caused by increased permeability of cell membranes, raised concentration of drugs in the tumour, enhanced blood flow and a probably accelerated response to chemotherapy.

Hyperthermia in Adjunction to Radiotherapy

Various mechanisms are responsible for the effect of hyperthermia in conjunction with radiotherapy. The cells become more sensitive to heat. There is an increased blood circulation, which leads to an intensified oxygen supply of the tissue and thus heightened sensitivity to radiation. It amplifies the cell-killing effects of radiation.

Hence, the effectiveness of the above mentioned conventional standard therapies is enhanced by combining them with hyperthermia. An individual concept should always be developed in close cooperation with oncologists.

Indications for Locoregional Hyperthermia

• Cell changes
• Tumour diseases, especially localised superficial cancer as well as deep-set tumours and metastases

Examples:

Breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, bronchial carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, connective tissue tumours, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, cervical cancer, glioblastoma, brain tumours, head and neck tumours, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, liver metastases, lung cancer, colorectal carcinomas, lymph gland cancer, malignant melanoma, esophageal carcinoma, rectal carcinoma, soft tissue sarcomas.

Dr. med. Astrid Kohl’s practice offers mild and moderate whole body hyperthermia in Berlin using a modern device of Company Celsius42+ GmbH.