Hyperthermia--the actual role in radiation oncology and future prospects. Part I

After a short introduction the first part of the editorial describes biological and technical fundamentals of clinical hyperthermia. Results obtained in the field of thermobiology lead to conclusions for the clinical application of hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy. These are concerned with the direct cytotoxic effect of heat, protection of normal tissues, impact of blood flow on the quality of a hyperthermic treatment, thermotolerance, the necessary number of heat treatments, and the radiosensitizing effect of heat. The technical paragraph outlines localized heating techniques, thermometry methods and important aspects of quality assurance, thermal dosimetry and treatment planning.