[Clinical practice of systemic hyperthermia therapy and physiological responses of the host]

Hyperthermia is a totally different modality from existing treatment modalities. Systemic hyperthermia (S-HT) is effective against advanced tumors which make resistance to conventional cancer therapies. In S-HT, it is essential and very important to manage cardio-pulmonary function in good condition. Especially, PEEP (about 7 cm H2O) is very effective to prevent lung edema. Fifty-four patients with a variety of neoplasms were subjected to S-HT, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. S-HT was performed under general anesthesia by using extracorporeal circuit in corporating a heat exchanger. Usually, S-HT was given for 4-8 hours with 41.5-42.0 degrees C at 2 weeks intervals. Out of 25 evaluable cases, response was obtained in 11 cases (44%) including 2 cases of complete response. Cardio-pulmonary performance was evaluated using a flow directed pulmonary artery catheter (Swan-Ganz catheter). At treatment temperature, all patients showed hyperdynamic conditions and developed a two-fold mean increase in cardiac index. Altogether 172 treatment sessions were associated with sinus tachycardia and a reduction in diastolic pressures. Laboratory abnormalities included thrombocytopenia without sign of D.I.C., moderate hyperglycemia, mild degree of hypophosphatemia, hypolcalemia and transient elevations in liver enzymes. Serum creatinine levels were elevated in all treatment sessions without elevation of serum BUN. Serum levels of calcium and magnesium were stable. All of abnormalities and toxicities were decreased within 1 to 2 weeks after treatments. It is suggested that with carefully monitored conditions S-HT be performed safely without heart failure.