Hyperthermia treatment for malignant brain tumors: nursing management during therapy

Interstitial hyperthermia therapy, the application of heat to control or destroy tumor tissue, is under investigation as an adjuvant treatment for recurrent intracranial malignancies. A brief review of the biologic effects and detailed information of one technique used to treat brain tumors are presented. Management of patients receiving hyperthermia is both challenging and complex. Neuroscience nurses must become knowledgeable about this form of therapy as it is more widely used in brain tumor management.