"Thermal mapping" in experimental cancer treatment with hyperthermia: description and use of a semi-automatic system

The regions of tumor which are least adequately heated during experimental hyperthermia treatments will most likely determine the ultimate probability of tumor control. Temperature inhomogeneity during local or regional hyperthermia is often marked, and stationary temperature probes yield very little information about the adequacy or inadequacy of tumor heating. Fine catheters can be placed through the tumor bearing region and temperatures recorded at various points within these catheters, thus yielding valuable data about temperature variations within the volume of interest. The "thermal mapping system" (TMS) described herein provides a method for remotely sampling these temperature variations in a semi-automatic manner in several catheters simultaneously. Its application in conjunction with a commercial hyperthermia system is described and clinical examples of its use and importance are provided.