A 500 KHz localized current field hyperthermia system for use with ophthalmic plaque radiotherapy

Ophthalmic plaque radiotherapy has been demonstrated to be a useful alternative to enucleation in the treatment of small choroidal melanomas. The prognosis for tumours larger than 8 mm in height, however, continues to be poor. Treatment complications limit the radiation dose which may be delivered to these larger tumours. Hyperthermia has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy for many tumours, particularly malignant melanoma. The use of hyperthermia in conjunction with plaque radiotherapy may improve local tumour control for larger choroidal melanomas, allowing patients to maintain useful vision. We have developed an instrument which enables the combination of localized current field hyperthermia with radiotherapy using an episcleral plaque. The system is simple and inexpensive. We have measured temperature distributions in tissue-like phantoms, in excised bovine eyes, and in vivo in normal rabbits. In each of the cases studied, temperature varied by less than 1 degree C within 3 mm of, and across the concave surface of the plaque. At distances greater than 3 mm, the temperature gradient was approximately -0.3 degree C per millimetre.