Local effect of hyperthermia for superficial and shallow-seated tumors

In approximately seven years, 134 patients with 161 tumors were treated by hyperthermia combined with radiation or chemotherapy at our department. The primary tumors were breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and soft tissue tumors in most patients. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent, followed by squamous cell carcinoma and soft tissue sarcoma. The local response rates for primary inoperable advanced, metastatic, and local recurrence of breast cancer were 88% (7/8), 50% (10/15), and 86% (18/21), respectively. The local response rate of 39 tumors of neck lymph nodes was 49% (19/39). A total of 26 tumors of bone and soft tissue were treated. Five tumors showed CR and six PR, for a total response rate of 42%. Among 20 patients with malignant melanoma, CR and PR were 25% (5/20) and 30% (6/20), respectively. The local response rate for all patients with superficial and shallow-seated tumors was 58% (94/161). In some tumors classified as showing NR, complete disappearance of tumor cells was demonstrated by a post-treatment histological examination. The efficacy of hyperthermia, when evaluated solely on the basis of tumor size, is likely to be underestimated.