Radiation therapy and hyperthermia in the treatment of superficial lesions

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUPERFICIAL AND MEASURABLE TUMORS WERE treated with hyperthermia and radiation therapy according to RTOG protocol 78–06. This study focuses on a subset of patients who were heated with microwaves. Eighty patients representing 88 lesions were treated between 1978 and 1981 with a schedule which allowed 48–96 hours to elapse between treatment sessions. The mean value of the average temperatures for individual lesions was 42.3°C. The mean total radiation dose was 33.95 Gy. Skin reaction was examined in terms of the maximum score reported, using a modified Fowler scale. Erythema, the most common finding, was reported as the maximum skin reaction in 24% of the cases. Ulcerations and blisters occurred with frequencies of 18% and 7%, respectively. No reaction or desquamation was reported in 19% and 17% of the cases. Complete regression was noted in 48% of the treated lesions, partial regression in 17%, and no change in 24%. Twenty-five percent of the patients enjoyed sustained response for greater than 180 days. Refinement of hyperthermia treatment equipment and technique may result in less normal tissue reaction and improved clinical responses. In view of the encouraging initial results, we recommend aggressive pursuit of hyperthermia as a new treatment modality.