Applicability of local hyperthermia as adjuvant to systemic chemotherapy

With the aim of verifying the in vivo applicability of local hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy, 13 patients with superficial metastases from different histologic types of carcinoma, mostly from head and neck cancer, were entered in a pilot study. The chemotherapeutic regimen was cis-platinum, 20 mg/m2/d X 5 days, bleomycin, 10 mg/m2 on days 8 and 12, methotrexate, 100 mg/m2 on day 15, followed after 24 by folinic acid. Hyperthermia, using a microwave apparatus, and chemotherapy were delivered simultaneously. Objective remissions were achieved in 54% of patients, within the hyperthermia field (1 CR and 6 PR). No serious toxicity was noted. Methotrexate distribution after local hyperthermia was evaluated in 8 patients. Response duration was not gratifying, except for patients successively treated with radiation. In conclusion, the combination of chemotherapy plus local hyperthermia deserves subsequent evaluation as part of adjunctive programs.