Hyperthermia

What is hyperthermia and how does it work?

The Hyperthermia Unit equipped with Celsius TCS system has been launched at the GPCC’s Radiotherapy and Gynaecological Oncology Department. In the times of increased incidence of cancer, more precise and effective treatment methods are being searched for. There is no longer any doubt today that locoregional hyperthermia, i.e. raising temperature within the volume of the tumour effectively supports and complements the traditional methods of cancer treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy. It should, however, be remembered that hyperthermia is not a main treatment method. Radiation therapy is the more effective, the more oxidised is the target tissue. Heating up the tumour volume increases oxidation by widening the blood vessels. Additionally, the same process increases the concentration of the chemotherapeutic used in close proximity to cancer cells, improving the treatment outcome. Another significant effect is the inhibition of the DNA repair processes in the organism by proteins produced under the influence of heat in the cell nucleus. Heating cancer cells causes the cellular metabolism to be disturbed (mainly the plasma membrane), which in turn may lead to apoptosis (i.e. programmed death of cancer cells). Hyperthermia alone inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells, which – when combined with chemotherapy – may lead to a complete recovery. The procedure is completely painless and, even more importantly, safe.

 

Contact details

Bartosz Urbański, MD

Email : bartosz.urbanski@wco.pl

Ewa Burchardt, MD

Email : ewa.burchardt@wco.pl

Agata Nowak

Email : agata.nowak@wco.pl

 

Tel.: +48 (61) 88 50 897