[Palliative radiotherapy with and without hyperthermia in gynaecology]

There can be no doubt as to the effectivity of radiotherapy in the treatment of advanced cancers, local recurrences and metastases of gynaecological tumours. The following rates of remission can be achieved: skeletal metastases 80% brain metastases 70% liver metastases 40-50% local recurrences of cancer of the breast 80% cervical carcinomas 50-80% The combined treatment of hyperthermia and radiotherapy improves the local control rate. This has been confirmed for superficially located tumours. The local tolerance of hyperthermia is excellent and there are practically no complications. The side effects of radiotherapy are not enhanced by hyperthermia.