[Microwave hyperthermia: influence of blood flow and thermoregulation processes (author's transl)]

Various problems are encountered during production of local, deep-seated microwave hyperthermia, involving the technology of the irradiating system, and the complexity of heat transfer in living tissues. Before starting investigations on patients, preliminary studies were conducted on different models. Taking the influence of the blood flow into account, the thermal effects of microwaves were simulated on a numerical model, and a perfused phantom. These studies were completed by investigations in animals. The analysis of findings demonstrates that, in given conditions of irradiation, the temperature distribution is strongly dependent on blood flow. This means that the phantom models are only useful to evaluate the influence of the irradiation parameters and to develop and compare the generator-applicator systems, and that accurate planning of therapeutic trials requires in vivo studies on animals as well as on patients.