The present status of hyperthermia in Japan

The research on hyperthermia in Japan was started by the Hyperthermia Study Group in 1978. Six years later, in 1984, the Japanese Society of Hyperthermic Oncology (JSHO) was established. More and more research has been conducted since then. At present, 215 units of heating equipment are installed for use. Among these, 24% are microwave heating equipment, and 66% are radiofrequency (RF) capacitive heating equipment. A nation-wide survey has revealed that about 60% of hyperthermia therapy involves the treatment of deep-seated tumours by RF capacitive heating and RF intracavitary heating. The treatment of superficial tumours by microwave heating represents another 12.5%. Most of the clinical application in the United States and in Europe is microwave heating of superficial tumours. The different modalities of treatment were thermoradiotherapy in 57.5%, thermochemotherapy in 22.6% and thermochemoradiotherapy in 14.5% of the cases surveyed. Compared to other countries, Japan has the highest number of hyperthermia equipment installed, and the most doctors involved in hyperthermia therapy. The main reasons for the advanced state of hyperthermia research in Japan include the development of excellent heating equipment, high membership in JSHO, grant-in-aid by the Japanese government, and coverage by insurance for this form of therapy. Based on 33 papers selected from two books which the author had edited, the optimal protocol, effectiveness and indication for the use of hyperthermia has been established.