Whole-body hyperthermia in cancer therapy: a report of a phase I–II study

• Published in: European journal of cancer & clinical oncology Vol. 19; no. 9; pp. 1189 - 1200
• Main Authors: van der Zee, Jacoba, van Rhoon, Gerard C., Wike-Hooley, Jennifer L., Faithfull, N.Simon, Reinhold, Huibert S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.1983; New York, NY Pergamon Press
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Body Temperature; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Hot Temperature - adverse effects; Hot Temperature - therapeutic use; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Induced hyperthermia. Cryotherapy; Male; Medical sciences; Methods; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Neoplasms - therapy; Palliative Care; Time Factors; Treatment with physical agents; Treatment. General aspects; Tumors; Human; Toxicity; Radiotherapy; Other treatment; Chemotherapy; Cabin; Phase II trial; Phase I trial; Clinical trial; Tumor; Combined treatment; Apparatus; Whole body; Induced hyperthermia; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 0277-5379
• DOI: 10.1016/0277-5379(83)90195-5

Twenty-seven patients were treated with whole-body hyperthermia alone or in combination with either chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Whole-body hyperthermia was performed in the Pomp-Siemens cabin with hot air and a warm water mattress, the patient being covered with plastic film to avoid cooling by perspiration. The heat treatment lasted for 2 hr at 41.8–42.0°C. Toxicity, such as liver damage and respiratory problems, was considerable. There were two fatalities. Hyperthermia gave an improved therapeutic effect in 6 of the patients. Considerable pain relief was observed in 8 of 10 patients. Whole-body hyperthermia at 42°C can be effective but the potential toxicity limits its use to those patients with severe complaints for whom no other palliative treatment is available.