[Clinical evaluation of combination hyperthermia and radiation therapy for superficial tumors]

The most effective treatment in hyperthermia is the combination therapy of hyperthermia with radiation therapy applied to superficial tumors. This is clear from the standpoint of biological theory as well as clinical experience. The advantage of combination hyperthermia and radiation therapy compared with radiotherapy alone is the boosting of treatment effectiveness and the expansion of efficacy against malignant tumors with reduced radiation sensitivity. Recently, even deep-seated tumors have been actively treated with combination therapy, and the effectiveness of this approach is beginning to be recognized. However, heating technique, temperature measurement and evaluation of effectiveness will have to be studied further in order to improve them.