[Current status of thermoradiotherapy in cancer therapy]

The current status of thermoradiotherapy for cancer is reviewed. The usefulness of this combined treatment for superficial tumors, in which heating and thermometry are relatively easy to apply, has been clearly demonstrated by many clinical results. With recent technological advancements, the application of thermoradiotherapy to deep-seated tumors is increasing, and encouraging results have been reported for various tumors including brain tumors, carcinomas of the breast, lung, esophagus, liver, rectum, urinary bladder, and soft tissue tumors. Thermoradiotherapy seems a very promising treatment modality for various refractory malignancies.