[Local Microwave Hyperthermia for Advanced or Recurrent Breast Cancer]

The purpose of our study was to test the efficacy and toxicity of hyperthermia for treating breast cancer. Ten patients received treatment (AC, paclitaxel, S-1, and aromatase inhibitor) in combination with hyperthermia. The hyperthermia device was a microwave heating device with water loaded and water-cooled waveguides. The temperature was monitored subcutaneously in the skin under the aperture of the waveguide. Two patients had a partial response to treatment with only mild toxicity (grade 1 acute skin toxicity). Therefore, hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy for treating breast cancer seems to be effective and generally tolerable. A larger patient cohort is needed to confirm these results in the future.