Thermal ablation and high-temperature thermal therapy: overview of technology and clinical implementation

High-temperature hyperthermia or thermal therapy is being applied for destruction of cancerous tissue, eradication or reduction of benign tumours and targeted tissue modification and remodelling. Many of these high-temperature technologies provide a minimally-invasive alternative with lower morbidities compared to the traditional surgical procedures. The effects of high-temperature thermal exposure on tissues, examples of heating technology and procedures of clinical practice related to high-temperature thermal therapy are reviewed. This brief review encompasses interstitial, endocavity, intraluminal and external applications of RF, microwave, ultrasound, laser and thermal conduction energy sources. The technology is prevalent and in various levels of advancement, with the move toward more spatially-accurate and controllable heating systems combined with image-guidance and treatment verification warranted, especially for the treatment of cancer.