Hyperthermia in clinical practice: preliminary results and current problems in the treatment of 21 patients

From February 1988 through February 1991, 21 patients were managed by superficial hyperthermia and radiotherapy. Nineteen patients had received previous treatment; the most common histology was breast carcinoma. Twenty-six cycles of combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy were delivered: 4 complete responses (15.4%), 17 partial responses (65.4%), 1 minimal partial response (3.8%), 3 stable diseases (11.6%) and 1 disease progression (3.8%) were obtained. The median duration of response was 7 months (range 1-16) for responding and 4 months (range 2.5-4) for non-responding patients. The toxicity encountered (confined mostly to epithelitis--7/21 patients) was completely reversible. In our experience, hyperthermia combined with radiotherapy proved to be an effective treatment. However, some problem that emerged during treatment planning and delivery showed the need for further development and research into hyperthermic devices and thermometry systems.