Indications for hyperthermia in oncology. Hyperthermia in the treatment of cancer Oncological hyperthermia

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It is generally accepted that cancer is currently an incurable disease. At the same time, this terrible disease is cured quite successfully in some cases. Human psychology is simple. Often, patients wait for miracle pills, forgetting about simple methods, which in certain cases can be very effective.

Representatives of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Russian Scientific Center of X-ray Radiology” claim that oncothermia is the newest method of treating cancer. At the official level, it is considered a type of hyperthermia. However, the effect (damage to malignant tumor cells) is mainly achieved due to the action of a weak alternating electric field of high frequency (and only a third due to an increase in temperature). Research on this method has been conducted in various countries around the world for twenty years.

Scientists openly declare that oncothermia helps treat cancer. Oncothermal installations are available in Tambov, Nizhny Novgorod, Izhevsk, Ufa, Novosibirsk and Moscow. In certain cases, during the treatment of late stages of cancer, local hyperthermia is combined with chemotherapy. This is done in order to enhance the antitumor effect of the drugs. For example, at the Moscow Scientific Research Institute named after. Herzen intra-abdominal hyperthermia is used for colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, etc.

Some time ago, an article appeared in one of the Russian newspapers about a safe and very effective method of cancer prevention - hyperthermia. This method is used by scientists from Siberia. This unique technique is already in service in many European clinics, including German ones. It is not clear why Russian doctors are not interested in hyperthermia.

The most interesting thing is that our country is currently focused on all kinds of scientific developments and innovations. Foreigners are invited to work in various institutes and science cities. At the same time, no one wants to involve domestic specialists in the work. The Ministry of Health has not yet included the method of general peak hyperthermia (warming the body to extreme temperatures) in the register of registered treatment technologies.

Despite this, Siberian scientists spent about twenty years developing the technique. They tested hyperthermia on animals and volunteers. The technique was tested on three and a half thousand patients. So far, no complications have been recorded! A natural question arises: why is such an inexpensive (compared to conventional treatment) and simple method not being implemented in domestic hospitals and clinics?

No matter how cynical it may sound, it is beneficial for pharmaceutical companies to have as many people in the world as possible fighting cancer. Large corporations regularly release more and more new chemotherapy drugs. Of course, their cost reaches several thousand dollars. It’s easy to imagine the profits such developers receive. Thus, it is much more profitable to treat than to carry out preventive measures.

About a month ago, several doctors from the Siberian Research Institute of Hyperthermia were invited to the German clinic Gisunt (Wilhelmshaven). Doctors from Germany expressed a desire to understand all the intricacies of the unique technique. Professor Wehner, head of the Gisunt Clinic, is ex-president of the German Hyperthermia Society and one of the greatest experts in this field. Colleagues from Germany were delighted with working with Russian doctors, who performed nine procedures on five patients.

After the departure of domestic specialists, German doctors independently performed seven more procedures. In the near future, Russian doctors will go to train colleagues from the Charité clinic (Berlin). After this, specialists from Serbia and Romania will be able to gain new experience. In addition, a special hyperthermia department will be opened in Varna. Professor Alexey Suvernev, director of the Siberian Research Institute of Hyperthermia, is very sorry that no one is interested in his work in Russia.

Hyperthermia is an excellent preventive measure

As mentioned above, hyperthermia is based on heating, which has been used in medical practice for more than 45 years. However, the patient’s body had never been heated above 42°C before. Thus, Russian scientists have achieved what seemed impossible. Thanks to the work of our specialists, people with cancer can now be heated to temperatures above the traditional ceiling.

At the same time, hyperthermia does not pose any threat to life. It has long been proven that at temperatures above 41°C, cancer cells begin to die. At the same time, all other cells of the body can easily tolerate temperatures up to 44-45°C.

Under normal conditions, the body cannot withstand such a temperature. That is why all hyperthermia procedures are carried out under anesthesia, using artificial ventilation. During such procedures, the condition of all important organs is monitored using special equipment. Patient training is equally important. He is prepared for 24 hours in the hospital, taking special medications that protect against heat shock.

Hyperthermia is an ideal option for the prevention of various cancers and their relapses. For example, after an operation to remove a malignant tumor, the level of tumor markers (cancer cell proteins) in a patient reaches 20. After six months, this indicator increases to 40. It is important to understand that when resorting to diagnostic tools, it is not always possible to discern malignant cell colonies. In this case, neither radiation nor surgery will help, since it is not clear what needs to be removed.

Oncologists say: we will observe. Unfortunately, even with the most successful operations the risk of metastases can never be eliminated. This is why ultra-high heating is so important. You should not wait until a new tumor appears. Tumor markers are reset immediately after the hyperthermia procedure. Do you dream of “insuring” yourself against cancer? Nothing could be simpler. Get heat therapy every year. At the same time, it is important to understand that hyperthermia is useless and may be harmful for large tumors.

Hyperthermia has a beneficial effect on the health of the entire body: libido increases, reproductive functions improve, and aging slows down. Currently, scientists say that in the near future, with the help of hyperthermia, it will be possible to cure HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia and herpes. Many harmful microbes and viruses are completely destroyed already at 42°C.

There are two ways to fight cancer:

• The first is to increase the body’s resistance so that it itself begins to more actively fight tumor cells
• The second is a weakening of the resistance of cancer cells, including inhibition of their reproductive activity.

The Heatheal® procedure has a powerful cytoreductive effect on the tumor. What does this mean? Under the influence of high temperature, the protein structures of tumor cells and, as a result, the cells themselves disintegrate, and as a result, a significant reduction in tumor size is observed.

An important result of the effect of Heatheal® on the body is a pronounced immunostimulating effect. Immunity is an essential component in the fight against cancer cells. Avalanche-like growth of cancer cells occurs only when the body's immune forces are depleted. Restoring immunity is a very serious problem in oncology. An equally important therapeutic aspect is the ability to increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy and thus significantly reduce the dose of chemotherapy and increase its effectiveness.

Important in the fight against cancer is the anti-relapse effect that Heatheal® can have on the human body. The use of the method allows not only to destroy metastases of cancerous tumors, but also to create conditions in the body so that they do not spread in the future. This is especially important when a radical operation has already been performed to remove the main tumor and all the doctors’ efforts are aimed at fighting metastases. In this case, Heatheal® is a unique, perhaps even ideal, weapon in the fight against metastatic cells.

Clinical trials have shown that the use of the Heatheal® method is especially effective for the following oncological pathologies:

• Malignant breast tumors
• ovaries
• stomach
• colon
• liver (including metastatic)
• lungs (including metastatic)
• thyroid and prostate glands
• musculoskeletal system.

Heatheal ® is effective in treating:

• melanoma
• blood diseases
• metastatic tumors of other locations.

Let's make a reservation right away: Heatheal® is not an alternative to surgical treatment. Timely and comprehensive surgical treatment of the tumor is still the main method of combating malignant neoplasms. Heatheal® is an adjuvant method for the treatment of malignant neoplasms, but in turn it allows to greatly enhance the positive effects of the standard triad of cancer treatment methods and significantly reduce their negative consequences.

Heatheal® technology for people with cancer can be used as:

1. anti-relapse treatment after radical tumor removal;
2. a cytoreductive procedure aimed at converting a tumor from an unresectable state to a resectable one. This is applicable only for small tumors and not all locations;
3. an immunostimulating procedure to ensure the possibility of further chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
4. preliminary preparation for more effective use of standard treatment methods and to increase the sensitivity of malignant cells to them.

Use of Heatheal® to prevent relapse of tumor growth

Long-term, more than 15 years, experimental experience in the clinical use of Heatheal® has shown that it is impossible to subject a patient with a large volume of tumor (including metastatic) tissue to intensive thermal treatment. After such procedures, when a large tumor disintegrates, there is a very high probability of developing endogenous intoxication, which can be very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to cope with.

It’s another matter if the patient underwent radical or conditionally radical surgery to remove a critical mass of the tumor. However, as a rule, even after this, the likelihood of micrometastases remains very high, to suppress which we use Heatheal®. The use of chemotherapy in complex cases is ineffective and, in addition, it is very difficult for a weakened patient to tolerate.

According to our observations, Heatheal® should be administered as early as possible after surgery. In our practice, there have been cases when Heatheal® procedures were performed 10-12 days after surgery. Let us present clinical observations.

Cytoreductive effect of Heatheal®

After a long study of the effect of using Heatheal® for the treatment of cancer patients, it turned out that not only chemotherapy and radiation therapy have a cytoreductive effect.

The same property is fully inherent in Heatheal®. In cases where oncologists declare that the tumor is inoperable, and the patient is severely weakened and the likelihood that he will be able to tolerate a course of chemotherapy or gamma therapy is extremely small, then 3-5 sessions of preoperative Heatheal® are often carried out, which are tolerated incomparably easier by patients than chemotherapy or radiation therapy and can significantly reduce the volume of the tumor, making it possible to perform surgical intervention.

Immunostimulating effect of Heatheal®

Based on extensive clinical experience with the use of Heatheal®, we can already confidently say that performing 1-3 sessions of Heatheal® (t - 42.0-42.7 ° C) leads to normalization of blood counts and allows you to continue conservative treatment of oncological diseases interrupted by vital signs.

There are numerous own observations of cancer patients with persistent leukemia and thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Often these complications do not respond well to traditional methods of correction, which forces them to refuse further necessary treatment.

In recent years, methods have emerged that make it possible to determine the beginning of the emergence and development of cancer cells in the body.

Oncologists are well aware that in any body mutated cells with signs of malignancy constantly appear, therefore, any healthy person has cancer cells, but there is also a powerful counteraction - these are normally functioning immune complexes that suppress the cancerous activity of the cell. And only if the body’s immune forces, for one reason or another, become compromised and cease to perform their function of suppressing foreign agents, an avalanche-like growth of cancer cells occurs and the development of a malignant tumor process begins.

The early stage, although quite conditional and approximately, can be determined long before the growth of tumor cells begins. There are so-called tumor markers, which, long before the development of the tumor itself, begin to signal the preponderance of forces in the fight between the immune system and cancer cells in favor of cancer cells. And the question of whether a malignant cell will or will not develop becomes only a matter of time.

In any case, when the level of tumor markers is elevated, oncologists immediately become “oncological alert.” It’s paradoxical, but at this alarming stage for the patient and the doctor, oncologists can only offer wait-and-see tactics in order to identify the first clinical signs of malignant tumor growth as early as possible. This is because there is no way to remove these minor cellular malignant colonies that other diagnostic tools do not see.

Surgical treatment is not suitable, since it is not yet known where the tumor will develop. Radiation therapy without clear localization and focusing on the tumor is also impossible. Chemotherapy in the early stages is not the method of choice, since it itself causes a strong toxic effect on the body. There are a large number of “methods” for increasing anti-cancer immunity, under the control of markers, but as a rule they are very expensive and ineffective.

In such a situation, Heatheal® is the most effective method of preventing cancer at an early stage. Short-term general high-level hyperthermia Heatheal®, which is safe for the patient, in turn perfectly destroys malignant cells, wherever they are located, increases immunity, improves the function of vital organs and tissues and thoroughly sanitizes the entire body. It can be used periodically, thereby eliminating the very possibility of cancer. Heatheal® is exceptionally effective for oncological, virological and allergological practice, when it is necessary to achieve necrobiosis and apoptosis of malignant cells, suppress infection or destroy paraproteins and pathological immunoglobulins.

It is worth noting that temperature effects on atypical tissues do not belong to the group of radiofrequency ablation; this is a completely different technique. In combination with radiation therapy, the method of thermal exposure is called thermoradiotherapy.

Hyperthermia in oncology: what is it?

International oncology has not yet developed a common opinion regarding which temperature indicators are the safest and at the same time the most effective. During treatment, body temperature usually reaches a level between 39.5 and 40.5 ° C. However, other researchers define the boundaries of hyperthermia between 41.8-42 ° C, which is typical for Europe and the USA. Japan and Russia receive the highest degrees Celsius.

Temperature and exposure time are interrelated. Longer durations and higher temperatures are very effective at killing cancer cells, but they also seriously increase the risk of toxicity. Tumor cells with a disorganized and compact vascular structure are very difficult to remove heat, which helps stimulate apoptosis (a type of physiologically programmed cell death) in their relation or normal death. Whereas healthy tissues have better thermal conductivity, and therefore better withstand high temperatures.

Even if cancer cells do not die immediately, they may become more susceptible to ionizing radiation from cancer therapy or chemotherapy. Heat during local hyperthermia dilates the blood vessels of the tumor, increasing oxygenation (oxygen saturation) of the tumor, thereby making anticancer radiation therapy more effective. Oxygen is a powerful radiosensitizer, which significantly increases the effectiveness of a given dose of radiation by causing DNA damage. Tumor cells with a lack of oxygen can be 2-3 times more resistant to radiation damage than in a normal oxygen environment.

Hyperthermia has been shown to be highly effective when combined with chemotherapy. Published studies have shown improved 10-year recurrence-free and metastasis-free survival in bladder cancer patients treated with combined hyperthermia and chemotherapy. 53% of patients lived for 10 subsequent years, while chemotherapy alone ensured survival in only 15% of patients.

Intense heating causes denaturation and coagulation of cellular proteins, which quickly destroys tumor cells. Longer, moderate heating to temperatures just a few degrees above normal can cause more subtle structural changes in cells. Mild heat treatment in combination with other methods can lead to cell death due to stimulation of biological destruction.

On the downside, experts note many of the biochemical consequences of heat shock in normal cells, including slower growth and increased sensitivity to subsequent ionizing radioactive therapy.

Hyperthermia increases blood flow to the heated area, which can cause a doubling of blood flow to tumors. This phenomenon enhances the beneficial effects of chemotherapeutic agents in pathological areas.

Mild hyperthermia, which provides temperatures equal to the naturally high temperature of many infectious diseases, can stimulate natural immunological attacks on tumors. However, it also induces a natural physiological response called thermotolerance, which tends to protect the abnormal cells.

Very high temperatures, above 50°C, are used for ablation - the direct destruction of some tumors. The technique uses inserts in the form of a metal tube directly into the tumor, the tip of which is heated, which causes cell death along its perimeter.

It is worth emphasizing that the hyperthermic ablation technique in Russia is still at the research stage and is rarely used in practical medicine. However, the effectiveness of the tests predicts very good prospects for this method, including in our country.

Differences and features of local, regional and general hyperthermia methods

They are used, as a rule, in three variants, depending on the indications and therapeutic possibilities.

A very small area is heated, usually within the tumor itself. In some cases, the goal of the method is to kill abnormal cells using heat without damaging surrounding tissue. Warmth can be stimulated by:

• ultrashort waves;
• high radio frequencies;
• ultrasonic energy;
• using magnetic hyperthermia.

Depending on the location of the tumor, heat may be applied to the surface of the body, within tissues, or deeper areas through the use of needles or probes. One relatively common type is radiofrequency ablation of small tumors. The therapeutic goal is most easily achieved when the tumor is on the surface of the body (superficial hyperthermia) or when needles or probes can be inserted directly into the tumor (interstitial hyperthermia).

• Regional hyperthermia

A large area of ​​the body is heated, for example an entire organ or limb. Typically, the goal of the method is to weaken cancer cells so that they are killed by subsequent radiation or chemotherapy drugs. As with the previous method, regional hyperthermia can use the same superficial or interstitial methods or rely on blood perfusion. During the perfusion process, the patient's blood is removed from the body, heated, and returned to the blood vessels that lead directly to the desired part of the body. Typically, chemotherapy drugs are given at the same time.

One specialized type of this approach is continuous peritoneal perfusion, which is used to treat complex intra-abdominal tumors, including primary peritoneal mesothelioma and gastric cancer. Hot chemotherapy drugs are pumped directly into the abdominal cavity to kill cancer cells.

The entire body heats up to a temperature of 39 to 43 °C and higher. The method is usually used to treat metastatic cancer. It involves the use of infrared hyperthermic domes, under which the patient's entire body is placed, with the exception of the head. Other methods include placing the patient in a very hot chamber or wrapping him in heated, damp blankets. Rare methods use special wetsuits with constant heating or immersion in hot wax.

What types of cancer can hyperthermia be used for?

Alone, hyperthermia has demonstrated a unique ability to treat malignancies. It is also known that the technique significantly increases the effectiveness of other treatment methods.

In combination with radioactive radiation, hyperthermia is especially effective in the presence of large amounts of oxygen, provided simultaneous exposure is not less than an hour.

In the last ten years, hyperthermia in combination with radiation has been used for therapeutic purposes in patients with the following diagnoses:

• early stage breast cancer;
• when cancer is localized on the head and neck;
• prostate cancer.

Well-known scientific publications indicate an improvement in 38% of patients with bladder cancer in combination with chemotherapy, compared with chemotherapy alone. In breast cancer patients, the result showed an improved response in 18% of patients.

What other types of cancer are there that show significant improvement when treated with hyperthermia?

• Melanoma and skin cancer.
• Soft tissue sarcoma.
• Bladder cancer.
• Cervical cancer.
• Rectal cancer.
• Malignant tumors of the axillary region and chest wall.
• Metastases in lymph nodes.

Studies in Russia have shown interesting results with high hyperthermia of 43.5-44°C when the method was applied to:

• esophageal cancer;
• laryngeal cancer;
• liver cancer;
• for HIV infection and immune system disorders.

Ablation of tumors is one of the types of hyperthermia

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is probably the most commonly used form of local hyperthermia. High frequency radio waves are used to increase the temperature.

• A thin needle probe is inserted into the tumor for a short time, usually 10 to 30 minutes.
• The placement of the probe is adjusted using ultrasound, MRI or CT.
• The probe tip delivers a high-frequency current that is capable of creating heat between 40 and 60°C, which causes cell death within a specific area.
• Dead cells are not removed and become scar tissue and dissolve over time.

RFA is most often used to treat tumors that cannot be removed by surgery or in patients that are inoperable for various reasons. The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis. Repeat ablation is possible for tumors that are capable of recurrence. RFA can also be added to other treatment options, including surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, infusion therapy, alcohol ablation, or chemoembolization.

RFA can be used to treat tumors up to 5 cm in diameter. The technique is most effective for treating tumors in the liver, kidneys and lungs. Its use in other areas of the body is currently being studied. Long-term effectiveness following hyperthermic ablation treatment is not yet known, but early results are encouraging.

Possible complications and side effects of hyperthermia

The use of high temperatures can lead to tissue burns and damage to the target organ, especially in cases of regional treatment. The extent of damage will vary depending on exposure time, temperature and type of tissue. The most sensitive to this method are the tissues of the brain and lungs.

• Edema.
• Blood clot formation.
• Internal bleeding.
• Cardiovascular disorders.

Combination with radioactive irradiation or chemotherapy has quite strong toxicity, which is usually expressed several hours after the procedure and can sometimes cause quite severe disorders.

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Under normal physiological conditions, the hypothalamus maintains a temperature of about 37ºC, which can vary depending on the time of day. The lowest levels are observed in the early morning hours, and body temperature reaches its maximum in the middle of the day. By evening, the thermal state of the body is 36.5 - 37 ºС.

Temperature for cancer - symptoms, causes

1. Hyperthermia more than 38 ºС.
2. Chronic fatigue.
3. Throbbing headache.
4. Sharp, wet cough.
5. The tumor hurts.

Is there a fever with cancer? In oncological diseases, there is mainly an increase in hyperthermia levels to low-grade levels (37 ºС – 38 ºС). Such temperature indicators indicate the so-called “low-grade fever.” This condition of the body in some cases does not require special treatment, especially if low-grade symptoms persist for a short time.

What should the temperature be?

Methods of therapeutic hyperthermia

1. Intracavitary or intraluminal approaches. These methods are used for cancer of the esophagus and for the diagnosis of rectal cancer. The technique is carried out using a special heated probe, which is inserted into the corresponding organ.

Whole body hyperthermia

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Temperature for cancer

A fever in cancer may indicate infection of the body with bacterial microorganisms or viruses. Also, fever in cancer is often observed at stages 3-4 of the cancer process.

Under normal physiological conditions, the hypothalamus maintains a temperature of about 37ºC, which can vary depending on the time of day. The lowest levels are observed in the early morning hours, and body temperature reaches its maximum in the middle of the day. By evening, the thermal state of the body is 36.5 – 37 ºС.

High fever in cancer includes a rise in body temperature above 38ºC, which implies the presence of an internal pathological process. This condition is considered a fairly common symptom for many types of cancer.

Temperature for cancer - symptoms, causes

Infectious fever in cancer is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. Hyperthermia more than 38 ºС.
2. On palpation, patients often experience hot skin.
3. Feeling of cold and trembling throughout the body.
4. Painful sensations in the upper and lower extremities.
5. Chronic fatigue.
6. Burning pain during urination.
7. Digestive system disorders such as diarrhea.
8. Throbbing headache.
9. Frequent attacks of dizziness.
10. Painful sensations in the nasopharynx and oral cavity.
11. Sharp, wet cough.
12. The appearance of localized pain in one area of ​​the body.
13. The tumor hurts.

Is there a fever with cancer? In oncological diseases, there is mainly an increase in hyperthermia levels to low-grade levels (37 ºС – 38 ºС). Such temperature indicators indicate the so-called “low-grade fever.” This condition of the body in some cases does not require special treatment, especially if low-grade symptoms persist for a short time.

With cancer, fever also occurs during the period of specific anticancer therapy.

What should be the temperature for cancer?

What should be the temperature for cancer? The febrile state in oncology goes through three phases in succession:

1. Raise body temperature. In response to the penetration of bacterial and viral infections or the formation of a pathological process, the human body produces an increased number of leukocytes, the mass of which gradually increases in the circulatory and lymphatic systems. A large number of white blood cells affects the hypothalamus, which provokes hyperthermia. In the early stages of fever, the patient often feels cold and shivering. This is a reaction of the superficial layers of skin and muscles to an increase in body temperature. The essence of this phenomenon is the narrowing of the epidermal blood vessels, which contributes to the maximum preservation of internal thermia. Also, periodic muscle contraction as a result of stenosis of the vascular system is considered a response.
2. In the second phase of hyperthermia, heat exchange processes are balanced, which is clinically manifested by stabilization of the hyperthermic state. For example, the temperature for lung cancer can range from 37 ºС to 37.5 ºС for months, without causing particularly discomfort to the cancer patient.
3. Cooling the body. In the terminal phase of hyperthermia, the superficial blood vessels open, which causes profuse sweating and, as a consequence, a decrease in body temperature. This process is usually stimulated with the help of pharmaceuticals, although in some clinical cases independent thermoregulation is observed.

The use of hyperthermia in anticancer therapy

What temperature is necessary for cancer with malignant lesions to achieve maximum therapeutic results? In some clinical cases, body thermoregulation indicators of 37.5 ºС – 38.0 ºС help to increase the sensitivity of pathological cells to the effects of highly active x-ray radiation. The hyperthermic state of the body in combination with radiation therapy gives faster anti-cancer effects in the form of the destruction of a large number of mutated tissues.

Methods of therapeutic hyperthermia

Today, some methods of artificially raising body temperature are under development.

This technique involves local thermal exposure to an area of ​​the body where cancer has already formed. Depending on the location of the tumor, there are the following types of local hyperthermia:

1. An external approach in which thermal energy is applied either to the surface of the skin or to the subdermal layer. These activities are mainly of an application nature.
2. Intracavitary or intraluminal approaches. These methods are used for cancer of the esophagus and for the diagnosis of rectal cancer. The technique is carried out using a special heated probe, which is inserted into the corresponding organ.
3. Intermediate techniques are indicated for cancer of deeply localized organs, such as the brain and spinal cord. A special radiofrequency sensor is applied under local anesthesia to the primary site of pathology, causing hyperthermic changes in it.

It involves heating large areas of the body or limbs.

Whole body hyperthermia

This technique is used for multiple metastatic lesions. A systemic increase in body temperature is usually achieved in special thermal chambers.

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The information on the site is presented for informational purposes only! It is not recommended to use the described methods and recipes for treating cancer on your own and without consulting a doctor!

Sauna for cancer

An incident brought me together with a woman who was cured of uterine cancer literally while lying on the stove. The disease was extremely advanced, in the fourth stage. Doctors believed that she would live no more than a year. The patient refused chemotherapy and went home to the village. She spent most of her time sitting near the Russian stove or lying on it. For several hours in a row she withstood the maximum temperature, and even wrapped her back in blankets. Four years later, when we met again, she felt healthy. This case interested me extremely. After all, it is well known that any thermal procedures are considered unacceptable in official oncology.

However, the idea of ​​treating cancer with heat is not new; it has long been discussed in the literature. Proponents of this idea proceed from the fact that cancer cells are very sensitive to elevated temperatures - at 40° they stop developing. Healer Alexander Vinokurov claims that when the body is exposed to this temperature for 10 days, cancer cells die, while normal cells do not change, completely retaining their functions.

The best results using hyperthermic procedures have been obtained for breast tumors, malignant lymphomas, cancer of the colon, prostate, larynx, thyroid gland, kidney, stomach and intestines, and sarcomas. According to studies, of 1,400 patients treated with such procedures for five years, approximately 80% showed noticeable improvement - stopping the growth of primary and metastatic tumors. After the first session, everyone’s pain stopped. In more than 60% of patients at stage IV of the disease, after several treatment sessions, metastases and symptoms of intoxication disappeared. The inclusion of general hyperthermia in the complex of therapeutic measures after radical operations significantly reduces the number of relapses and reduces the threat of cancer recurrence.

Let's try to understand the mechanism of the effect of high temperatures on cancer cells.

According to one theory, cancer is associated with the introduction of viral RNA into the genome or cytoplasm of the cell. There is reason to assert that hyperthermic procedures lead to the separation of the virus and foreign RNA from the mother cell. Forced to come out, they become prey to immune cells. Their further fate depends on the level of immunity. Therefore, one of the most important areas in cancer treatment is strengthening the immune system.

But let's return to the effects of high temperatures on cells. It was found that at a temperature of 43.5°, cancer cells die. However, this critical temperature can only be maintained for a short period. Therefore, in my opinion, methods focused on 40-42°, but with long-term exposure, are more acceptable.

Scientists who developed hyperthermic treatments also took into account the ability of tumor cells to vigorously consume glucose. Constant glucose deficiency is a natural limiting factor for the growth and division of cancer cells. It was suggested that if you specifically saturate the blood with glucose, then cancer cells will begin to absorb it without any restrictions, leading themselves to a state of energy oversaturation.

This process intensifies with increasing temperature. Cells that actively consume glucose after temperature stimulation begin to experience a crisis in the utilization of waste products for energy production from glucose. Organic acid molecules accumulating in them cause a sharp shift in the acidity of the environment, incompatible with the resistance limits of cell membranes. This works like a detonator - spontaneous combustion of active cancer cells occurs. Therefore, during thermal procedures, it is advisable to give the patient glucose (for example, in the form of honey).

However, theoretical predictions were not entirely consistent with the results of practical research. It turned out that the cancerous tumor is heterogeneous in structure. Not all cells in it are in a state of active division and abundant absorption of glucose. Each tumor contains privileged pools of actively growing cells and peripheral cells pushed away from the lymphatic and blood vessels. For the time being, the peripheral layers of the tumor are in relative peace.

Experimental practice has confirmed that hyperthermia in combination with hyperglycemia (excess sugar) actually ensures the destruction of tumor tissue. But at the same time, it turned out that some small part of the tumor cells still does not die, despite extensive necrosis of its main mass. Because of this, a relapse of the disease soon occurred. The source of the relapse turned out to be displaced cancer cells that had previously been dormant. After the destruction of their wealthy neighbors, these cells woke up and began to grow.

So, hyperthermic exposure beyond the optimum (43 ° or more), leading to necrosis of active cancer cells, does not affect the resting layers of the tumor at all. Temperatures within the optimum range (up to 42°) transfer them from a resting state to a more active one, and therefore to a more thermosensitive one. All that remains is to select the desired mode of exposure cycles so that the tumor begins to disappear not only in its actively growing center, but also along the periphery.

Many healers believe that the tumor should not necrotize (die), but slowly dissolve. To do this, you need to adhere to very narrow limits of optimal temperature exposure. Beyond the upper limit, tumor necrosis begins. Within the optimal boundaries, slow resorption of the tumor occurs, which is also facilitated by strengthening the immune system. Therefore, during the period of hyperthermal therapy, it is very advisable to use such effective immunomodulators as T-activin or diucifon - drugs that strengthen the immune formula, increase the number of lymphocytes in the blood and lymph, as well as T-cells, killer cells, destroying cancer cells and microorganisms during internal environment of the body. Temperatures below these limits do not suppress cancer cells, and perhaps even stimulate them. It is these temperatures that are considered contraindicated in official medicine for cancer. When oncologists say that heating can increase the progression and metastasis of tumors, they do not take into account the effects of ultra-high temperatures.

However, ultra-high temperatures, as already mentioned, do not exclude relapses of the disease. It seems that the failures of some researchers are explained by the fact that they set the maximum temperature during treatment and paid insufficient attention to the duration of exposure to tumor cells. It seems to me that the most effective treatment for cancer is the use of milder temperatures (40 -42°) with a longer, and therefore deeper and more uniform effect.

The home sauna proposed by Alexander Vinokurov is perfect for this purpose (see picture).

The temperature in a home sauna is maintained by an electric heater (for example, an ordinary household stove with a power of 1.5 kW), which heats 2-3 jars of water lined with stones. The water boils and evaporates, forming soft steam. This whole simple device is placed on a wooden shelf attached to the back of the chair. The internal walls of the shelf are insulated with aluminum sheets. You can also use an aluminum freezer from an old refrigerator. The electric heater should be lined with stones on the sides. It is important that it does not touch the walls of the shelf.

The patient is seated in a chair and wrapped in a blanket along with the chair. It is desirable that there is an electric thermostat inside this “cocoon”, which would ensure a constant temperature. A special thermometer is used to monitor the temperature.

If a chair with armrests is used for the sauna, then special arches must be installed above them so that a small space remains inside the “cocoon” for air circulation. The back of the chair should not be solid.

If desired, the hands can be moved outside, for which a coat is put on top of the patient instead of a blanket and fastened with buttons, and a blanket is wrapped below the waist. During hyperthermic procedures, the head remains outside. One of the important advantages of a home steam room is that the whole body warms up (in half an hour to an hour the body temperature reaches 40°), but at the same time the person breathes air at room temperature. By the way, local heating of individual parts of the body or organs, in my opinion, is ineffective. Apparently, this is due to reverse vascular reactions to local heating.

During the hyperthermic procedure, it is recommended to drink hot tea (herbal or green) with honey to increase sweating. To ensure that sweat is easily absorbed, wear cotton underwear. After completing the procedure, take a contrast shower to cool the body to normal temperature.

For oncological diseases, two hyperthermic sessions are performed per day (morning and afternoon) lasting from two to four hours. The optimal air temperature is 40-42°. The course of treatment is 10 days. It is repeated 6-10 times with breaks every day.

Additionally, measures to cleanse the blood of cell breakdown products are recommended: therapeutic fasting, juice therapy (for example, taking juices from vegetables, fruits and berries of red, yellow and black colors), taking adsorbents, vegetarian nutrition, clay therapy, etc.

It is even better to use a special stove with infrared irradiation for your home sauna. Its rays are softer, they penetrate into tissues more evenly and deeply. Such stoves are also available for sale at home.

There are several benefits to infrared heat. Firstly, it is easier to tolerate. This is especially important for seriously ill and weakened people. Secondly, it is more effective for cases of deep tumors and metastases. Unfortunately, I have not yet come across information about special studies on the use of infrared heating. I'm sure this is a matter of the future.

Despite the fact that in official medicine, heating the body for cancer is considered contraindicated, in Russia and abroad there are clinics where this disease is treated with heat. There is a clinic, for example, in Gorky, where they use a thermal chamber in the form of a sarcophagus (just like in the method described here, the head remains outside). The procedures are carried out under the control of devices.

In conclusion, I want to say that long-term hyperthermia of the body is a very physiological method. It resembles a fever - a natural reaction of the body to a pathogen, when the body fights the disease with the help of an increase in temperature.

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Hyperthermia is now included in the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of recurrent breast cancer. Dr. Arkady Bessantin (Israel, Tel Aviv) successfully uses this modern technique in the treatment of patients with breast cancer.

Purpose of this review— present clinical trials conducted in recent decades on the use of hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. This article details the core principles of the NCCN, which now include the use of hyperthermia for the clinical treatment of recurrent breast cancer skin lesions, supporting the potential beneficial role of hyperthermia in the local control of tumor recurrence.

Hyperthermia is overheating, the accumulation of excess heat in the body of humans and animals with an increase in body temperature, caused by external factors that impede heat transfer to the external environment or increase the flow of heat from the outside. (Wikipedia)

Introduction

It is one of the most common types of cancer and poses a serious problem as the number of cases of this disease increases every year. Although early detection of breast cancer is now possible, 30% of patients with early stage disease are likely to experience further recurrences. Treatment for patients with locally advanced breast cancer consists of chemotherapy followed by radical mastectomy (surgery that involves total or partial amputation of the breast) and radiation therapy, and in some cases, hormonal therapy. Although this combination therapy is currently the optimal choice in terms of local tumor control, new treatment methods are still needed for better clinical results.

According to the 2013 National Antioxidant Network (NCCN) guidelines, hyperthermia is included in clinical practice for the treatment of recurrent breast cancer. The goal of hyperthermia is to increase the temperature of the tumor to 42-45 °C. There are different methods of applying hyperthermia depending on the location of the tumor. For tumors less than 5 cm deep in breast cancer, superficial hyperthermia is mainly used. Superficial hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy has proven to be more effective than radiation therapy or chemotherapy alone, since the mechanisms of action of radiation therapy and hyperthermia complement each other. In addition, the correct clinical application of hyperthermia is of great importance since thermal parameters, such as the minimum or maximum temperature of the tumor during thermotherapy, influence the clinical outcome of treatment.

All trials included in this review were obtained from Medline (short for MEDlars onLINE MEDLARS (MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System) - the largest database of published medical information in the world, covering about 75 percent of all global publications.) and were published from 1987 to present.

These trials demonstrate how hyperthermia combined with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy affects patients with breast cancer and explore the benefits of this combination treatment. Data obtained from each study show the number of patients with primary disease or recurrent breast cancer and the therapeutic modalities used to treat them. The main parameters assessed are the rate of response to therapy, complete and partial response rates, local tumor control and survival rates. Finally, hyperthermia-induced toxicity is addressed.

Results and discussion

The first clinical results of comparative studies of thermoradiotherapy (RTHT) versus radiotherapy for superficial tumors were published before 1990. In 1987, the results of a study were published in which patients with superficial recurrent malignancies received low-dose radiation therapy with or without local hyperthermia (915 or 2450 MHz). The majority of tumors (53%) were adenocarcinoma of the breast. Complete as well as partial response rates were higher in the combination therapy group, suggesting that hyperthermia combined with low-dose radiation may be useful in the treatment of superficial tumor recurrences, especially in cases where higher doses of radiation therapy have been previously used . When treated, toxicity of the 3rd class (desquamation (i.e. sloughing of cells from the surface) with vesicles / wet desquamation) was 21.2 and 4.2%, respectively, toxicity of the 4th class (minor necrosis (death) or ulceration / massive ulceration) 24.2 and 8.3%, respectively. Subcutaneous fat necrosis (grade 4) was reported in 3 patients and 1 patient, respectively.

A study was conducted that also proved the effectiveness of combination treatment: Thirty-five patients with recurrent breast carcinoma received hyperthermia in addition to radiation therapy, which was administered within 30 minutes after irradiation. A comparison between 9 patients who received radiotherapy alone and 9 patients who received RTT showed response rates of 33.3% (3/9) and 77.7% (7/9), respectively. Hyperthermia was tolerated by the body without serious complications.

The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) evaluated hyperthermia for the treatment of superficial tumors (including breast cancer), in a randomized trial, a correlation was found ( interdependence)between tumor diameter and response rate: study results showed improved response, especially in lesions less than 3 cm in diameter receiving more than 2 hyperthermic treatments (42.5°C). The rate of sustained response at 12 months was higher in patients who received RTNT than in those who received radiation therapy alone. These data indicate that the addition of hyperthermia produces a longer lasting and more complete response to treatment.

Hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy for advanced or locally recurrent breast carcinoma: studies were conducted in 40 patients (10 primary cases and 30 relapses). It was decided that patients with smaller lesions would receive radiation therapy only and patients with larger lesions would receive RTT. Tumors that were treated with hyperthermia responded better to therapy than tumors that received radiation therapy alone. It was also reported that patients with primary tumors that received radiation had low rates of complete and partial response and local tumor control, whereas these values ​​increased with the addition of hyperthermia. For recurrent tumors after surgery, local response rates after radiotherapy also increased with the addition of hyperthermia. It was concluded that the combination treatment provided improved clinical outcome in patients with localized primary and recurrent breast cancer. The studies also noted that tumor size also made a difference. Hyperthermia in superficial tumors is more effective when the diameter of the lesion is less than 3 cm.

One of the largest studies to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperthermia was published in 1996: a total of 306 lesions were included in this analysis. The results were obtained from 5 different randomized trials in the treatment of breast cancer with RTHT (Phase III). The studies have proven that hyperthermia provides benefit when added to radiotherapy mainly in recurrent breast cancer, where due to previous radiotherapy it is recommended use lower radiation doses. The overall complete response rate was 59% for RTHT and 41% for radiotherapy.

A study to determine the relationship between thermal parameters of hyperthermia and treatment outcome in patients suffering from recurrent breast cancer: treatment response was compared in patients who received RTTT and in patients who received radiation therapy alone. The overall response rates were 61 and 41%, respectively. A randomized trial evaluated the role of thermal dose in the treatment of superficial lesions, including breast cancer. The investigators were interested in response to treatment and duration of local control. The patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group was treated with radiation therapy alone, and the second group with RTT. The overall response rate and local control rate improved with the addition of hyperthermia. The greatest improvement in local control was observed in patients who had already received radiation therapy during previous treatment.

2008 study: This study included patients from 8 different medical institutions. All of them had recurrent breast carcinoma and all received repeat breast irradiation after local recurrence. Some patients received hypothermia in addition to radiation therapy. The overall response rate was 67% with hypothermia and 39% without it.

Testing the effectiveness of hyperthermia as a palliative treatment for locally recurrent breast carcinoma: 30 patients with breast cancer, after treatment with other traditional methods, received a low dose of radiation + 1 hour of hyperthermia. The results confirmed the effect of hyperthermia on reducing breast cancer recurrence. In addition, lesions with a diameter of less than 5 cm responded better to the combination treatment.

RTHT has been proven to provideImproving local tumor control in the treatment of recurrent breast cancer: 34 patients received RTT, 4 patients had chemotherapy in combination with hyperthermia, and 4 patients had hyperthermia only. It was noted that only those patients who received RTHT fully responded to therapy and showed improved local disease control. 44 patients suffering from locally recurrent breast adenocarcinoma received RTHT. Treatment response rates were analyzed 1 month after completion of therapy. At 12 months, 67% of patients who achieved a complete response were still improving. Tumor size has been found to significantly influence clinical outcome.

The use of hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy for the treatment of recurrent breast carcinoma with metastases: To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, a study was conducted in 20 patients. The majority of patients (95%) responded completely to the combination treatment, which was effective in cases of extensive diffuse lesions in breast cancer. However, the median survival of these patients was unsatisfactory due to the presence of metastases outside the treated areas.

Use of superficial RTHT in patients with recurrent breast carcinoma: At the time of maximum regression, the overall response rate was 63%. Survival rate after 2.5 years was 21%, and after 5 years - 8%. In the Netherlands, RTHT is the standard treatment for previously irradiated patients who have relapsed breast cancer. Studies have shown that simultaneous use of hyperthermia and radiation produces better clinical results than sequential use. This method was used in patients with superficial tumors. We considered mainly cases of head and neck cancer, as well as breast adenocarcinoma. The response to therapy for breast adenocarcinoma was as follows: complete response - 79%, partial response - 14% and no response to treatment - 7%.

Study of the effectiveness of combining chemotherapy with RTHT in patients with inoperable recurrent breast cancer: Patients received chemotherapy and hyperthermia once a week, 30 minutes after irradiation. The skin reaction was acceptable, but the triple modality caused significant systemic toxicity. Although response rates to therapy were high, local control was only maintained for several months.

Research for locally recurrent breast cancer: In this case, local control is achieved depending on many parameters of the combination treatment, including tumor response to RTHT. 39 women with recurrent breast cancer received RTNT, with hyperthermia administered before radiation therapy. The 1-year survival rate was 71% and the 2-year survival rate was 54%. In 2001, the University of Athens Medical School's experience using RTHT combination therapy to treat superficial tumors was published. This study included 88 patients with breast cancer with recurrence after mastectomy, and 27 patients with recurrent supraclavicular lymph nodes. Complete response rates were 85.2 and 70.4%, respectively. The same team of scientists published the first study on the effectiveness of liposomal doxorubicin in combination with RTHT 1 year later. Fifteen female patients were enrolled who suffered from locally advanced recurrent breast cancer. All patients responded to therapy. The complete response rate was 20% and the partial response rate was 80%. Ben-Yosef and others recognized the benefits of hyperthermia when added to radiation therapy and described their experience using RTHT to treat locally recurrent breast cancer. 15 women received radiation therapy combined with 45 minutes of hyperthermia (at 45 0C). 6 of 15 patients completely responded to therapy, 4 patients partially responded, and 3 patients did not respond to therapy.

Use of RTHT in patients with locally recurrent breast carcinoma: Forty-one of the 75 lesions had previously been exposed to radiation. Hyperthermia combined with radiation therapy has been shown to have a more pronounced clinical effect. Skin ulceration was observed in 14% of patients.

Application to locally advanced or recurrent breast cancer with marginal resection(marginal excision): In this study, 15 patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group received RTHT after resection as primary therapy, and the second group consisted of patients with recurrent tumors who also underwent the same treatment procedure - hyperthermia combined with radiation therapy. Overall survival was 90% for the first group and 89% for the second group , local control rates were 75 and 81%, respectively, while disease-free survival was 64 and 69%, respectively. For all patients, survival, local control, and disease-free survival rates were 89%, 80%, and 68%, respectively.

Experience with the use of hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy for superficial tumor recurrences: This study assessed the effectiveness of RTHT in patients with relapsed disease who had previously received radiation. At 18-month follow-up, local control rate was 72.7%, disease stabilization was 20.5%, and non-control rate was 6.8%.

Effectiveness of repeated irradiation combined with hyperthermia - 2010 study: 78 patients with recurrent breast cancer responded to combination therapy. The 3-year benchmark was 78% and the 5-year benchmark was 65%. The 3- and 5-year patient survival rates were 66% and 49%, respectively. The case of a 66-year-old woman with recurrent breast cancer who received radiation therapy and chemotherapy but did not respond to treatment was reviewed. However, when hyperthermia was added to the therapy, the patient responded completely to treatment. Finally, combination RTHT treatment can produce good results without serious toxicity. RTHT was used in 198 patients suffering from recurrent breast cancer. The 3-year benchmark was 83% and the 5-year benchmark was 78%.

Results and conclusion

The results show that the use of hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer increases the effectiveness of treatment.

The use of hyperthermia in combination with other therapeutic methods is a promising direction in the treatment of recurrent breast cancer. Reported response rates to therapy are high, and comparisons of radiation therapy with or without the addition of hyperthermia as a treatment option indicate that hyperthermia provides an advantage in terms of higher response rates, local control rates, and survival rates with combination treatment. More research is needed to evaluate the role of hyperthermia in the treatment of primary breast tumors, as the currently available results are encouraging. Finally, given the satisfactory results of numerous studies on the use of hyperthermia in the treatment of head and neck cancer and in the treatment of malignant melanoma, the integration of hyperthermia into the clinical treatment of other types of superficial lesions should be considered. In addition to the inclusion of hyperthermia in the recent NCCN guidelines for the treatment of recurrent breast cancer, we propose the use of RTHT for the treatment of other cutaneous neoplasms and primary breast cancer lesions.