[Eight-MHZ RF hyperthermia in urological malignancies]

Eight-MHz radiofrequency hyperthermia (H) using Thermotron-RF8, and its combination with irradiation (RH), anticancer drugs (CH) or anticancer drugs plus irradiation (CRH), were carried out for a total of 93 urological malignancies: 19 cases of renal cancer, 3 of renal pelvic cancer, 4 of ureteral cancer 39 of bladder cancer, 8 of prostatic cancer, 14 of metastatic lesion of urological cancers and 6 of other urological cancers. All had failed in previous treatments, or had not undergone surgery because of their poor general condition. Nine cases, including 1 of renal cancer, 1 of ureteral cancer, 4 of bladder cancer, 2 of prostatic cancer and 1 of metastatic lesion of bladder cancer, were treated with (H). Fifty cases, including 4 renal cancer cases, 20 bladder cancer cases and 6 prostatic cancer cases, were treated with (RH). Eight of the 19 cases of renal cancer were treated with mitomycin C-microcapsule (MMC-mc) embolization prior to radiohyperthermia (CRH). The remaining 6 cases of renal cancer received embolization with MMC-mc followed by RE-heating (CH). Eighteen of the 48 cases of urothelial cancer or its metastasis, including 1 of renal pelvic cancer, 15 of bladder a cancer and 2 of metastatic lesion of bladder, received a combined treatment of intravenous THP-adriamycin, one of the derivatives of adriamycin and RE-heating (CH). In the remaining 2 cases, one received (CH), and the other received (CRH). Hyperthermia was given twice a week for a total of 10 sessions in 5 weeks. Intratumoral temperature was kept above 42.5 degrees C for 30 to 40 minutes during a one-hour heating. Complete tumor regression was obtained in 9 bladder cancer cases. Partial tumor regression, defined as a regression of 50% or more, was obtained in 17 cases. A pain relief was attained in 18 of 23 patients with intractable pain due to local tumor infiltration. As side effects, mild skin burns were observed in 21 cases. Ten obese cases, having subcutaneous tissue 15mm thick or more, developed fat tissue induration after treatment.