Oncothermia

Oncothermia, i. e. the loco-regional deep electro-hyperthermia system is a fast-developing supportive, complementary treatment method against different types of tumors. The principles are based on the classical method of hyperthermia, but the aim, beside the absolute increase in temperature, is especially the direct electric-field energy absorption in the extracellular liquid and destroying the membrane of the cancer cells. Oncothermia's effect is synergic to radiotherapy and to numerous chemotherapies. Furthermore, it leads to an increased immunogenicity and effectively reduces the pain of the patient.

Hyperthermia has been described as the "oldest identified weapon against cancer."^[1]

It has been used since at least 1989.^[2]

Oncothermia in general is not used as sole therapy. It is usually combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other therapies and their combination. The method transfers energy using the principle of capacitive coupling (like a condenser) of radio waves of 13,56-MHz. No external shielding is needed. Oncothermia utilizes the special absorption rate of the near-membrane extracellular liquid of the tumor. The tumor tissue has lower impedance than the surrounding tissues, so most of the energy is transmitted and absorbed by the cancerous lesion. This selection of the tumour tissues (self-focusing) renders external focusing unnecessary.

Oncothermia achieves a permanent increase of the temperature in the extracellular liquid of the tumour tissue. Due to the constant energy-supply, a temperature gradient (temperature drop) between the extra- and intracellular electrolytes develops until the thermal equilibrium is reached at the end of the therapy. This (in absolute numbers very low) temperature difference acts on the likewise small distance through the cellular membrane (from extra- to intracellular) and that leads to a destabilizing thermal stress on the membrane of the tumour cells, leading those into necrosis or apoptosis.

References

1. ^ Szasz, Andras; Szasz, Nora; Szasz, Oliver (2010-12-03). Oncothermia: Principles and Practices. Springer. ISBN 9789048194971. http://books.google.com/books?id=Ek-2nEe1HpwC. Retrieved 31 July 2011. 
2. ^ Andocs G, Szasz O, Szasz A (2009). "Oncothermia treatment of cancer: from the laboratory to clinic". Electromagn Biol Med 28 (2): 148–65. PMID 19811397.