The Key Benefits Of Hyperthermia On Cancer
Posted: Saturday, April 02, 2011
by Autumn Lockwood
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The method of using heat to deal with tumors has been around for thousands of years. However, in recent times the concept of using heat to deal with cancer has been researched and studied in-depth by researchers, oncologists and doctors. When it is utilized by itself, or combined with other cancer therapies, hyperthermia weakens and will even kill cancer cells. Hyperthermia works on the principle that tumor cells are not able to tolerate heat in the same manner that normal body cells can. Because of this, cancer cells can be attacked through the use of heat while your normal body cells can remain unscathed.
Hyperthermia can be used to treat various different cancers, including squamous cell, lymphoma, basal cell, melanoma, carcinoma, and sarcoma. You can use it for tumors that are situated in a variety of areas of the body, such as the breast, neck and head, prostate, skin, throat, thyroid and bone. According to the location and variety of cancer cells, hyperthermia is usually applied in a number of ways. Heat may be applied externally once the cancer cells exist in your skin, or close beneath it. If the cancer cells exist deep within the body, however, heat is normally applied by using a sterile probe. If the cancer has now spread through the entire body, then the hyperthermia can be applied through entire body methods.
Hyperthermia Used In Conjunction With Other Therapies
Hyperthermia can be used by itself to weaken or kill cancer cells, but it may also be utilized in combination with other cancer treatments in order to enhance their effect. For instance, hyperthermia is frequently put together with low dose radiation treatments. These therapies can have a greater rate of success against cancerous tumors when utilized in combination with other therapies than when each therapy is made use of by itself. By using hyperthermia, the cancer cells are weakened, causing them to be more susceptible to the effects of the radiation treatment. The application of heat improves the circulation of blood in the area of the tumor, that also will make other types of cancer treatments more effective, like chemotherapy. Hyperthermia therapy may be compared to the natural way that a body attempts to defend itself with elevated fevers.
Minimal Side Effects
When hyperthermia therapy is applied, there are actually usually few serious side effects because it works with a low heat level, usually within the range of 108 to 113 degrees. The side effects, which may include irritation or blistering on the skin or some reddening, usually are well tolerated by the patient. Many patients actually find that hyperthermia treatments may help reduce the pain which is usually associated with cancer, which can result in higher energy levels and increased quality of life.
The Future of Hyperthermia
there is great hope for the future of hyperthermia. Clinical trials, studies and research continue, resulting in all the more widespread use of this alternative therapy in the combat with cancer.
Using Hyperthermia to Fight Cancer Cells
During the last number of years, much attention has been given to alternative cancer therapies like hyperthermia. Hyperthermia has been approved by the FDA for a long time, and uses moderate levels of heat to assault, weaken, and kill cancer cells. As a matter of fact, this treatment therapy is recognized by most insurance agencies. Hyperthermia has long been the topic of numerous studies, scientific papers, and clinical trials. Duke University possesses an aggressive research program that they've devoted to the study of hyperthermia, and they also recently made hyperthermia the subject of a clinical trial. Since hyperthermia has become very well-known, more individuals than ever before are discovering the benefits they can receive from hyperthermia when they combat cancer.
Hyperthermia As An Alternative Cancer Therapy
When a person has cancer, it is necessary to be able to evaluate all the available therapy options with their doctor, to determine the best strategy for their individual circumstances. In the past hyperthermia was often resorted to simply when conventional therapies had failed. It is now, however, more prevalent to combine alternative and conventional therapies. Many oncologists have had better results combining hyperthermia with low level radiation treatments than when either treatment was applied on its own. The traditional cancer treatment has got the possibility to be more effective when coupled with hyperthermia since the cancer cells are weakened or killed because of the hyperthermia therapy. More doctors can now discover the benefits of combining conventional cancer treatments with alternative treatments like hyperthermia. As a result, it is expected that the overall success rate of treating many different types of cancer will improve.
Focusing On How Hyperthermia Works
The fundamental concept behind hyperthermia is really quite simple. When heat is applied to normal cells, the surrounding vascular system can efficiently dissipate the heat, protecting cellular structure. The vascular system of tumors is usually quite unorganized and inefficient. Because the cells are abnormally packed tightly together in most instances, tumor cells are just not well equipped to cope with higher degrees of heat. For this reason, even the relatively low temperatures which are used in the hyperthermia therapy treatments can devastate the cancer cells. The tumor cells can be attacked although the surrounding healthy cells remain protected if the temperatures remain in the overall range of 108 to 113 degrees.
Other Benefits Associated With Hyperthermia
In addition to its ability to directly weaken and kill cancer cells, hyperthermia also has other benefits for the patient. Because heat naturally increases circulation and blood circulation, hyperthermia may also be helpful when coupled with cancer treatments including chemotherapy. More cancer fighting drugs may be present when more blood reaches the tumor area. Hyperthermia can also help to reduce the pain levels experienced by many cancer patients, which can help to improve their quality of life.
If you're wanting more information on hyperthermia or oncologists who use hyperthermia, then check out Dr. James Bicher MD. Dr. James Bicher MD is a well known oncologist in the field of hyperthermia so check out the publications and awards he's received over the years for his hyperthermia research and work.
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