Theoretical analysis of nanoshell-assisted thermal treatment for subcutaneous tumor

The hyperthermia is an efficient technique for tumor treatment, in which the tumor is subjected to a heating source, such as laser, supersonic or electromagnetic field. In order to improve the therapeutic efficiency and to protect the surrounding healthy tissues, gold nanoshells are embedded in the tumor as the additive to make it absorb more thermal energy than the healthy tissues. In the present study, a one-dimensional three-layered model is established to investigate the thermal response of the bio-tissue in the hyperthermia treatment for subcutaneous tumor. The governing equations are solved analytically by using the Green's function method and the Henriques' model is employed to evaluate the degree of thermal damage in the target tissue. The influences of the volumetric density of gold nanoshells on the temperature distribution and thermal damage are discussed in detail. When the gold nanoshells are embedded with a proper density, it can improve the efficiency of tumor killing and protecting the subcutaneous tissue from being burnt. The closed-form solution for the governing equations in multilayered tissues can be a theoretical guideline to selection of appropriate parameters of the gold nanoshells.