Using 'heat' to destroy cancer cells? Let's learn about this new treatment method (Hyperthermia Therapy)!

When we hear the word cancer, we immediately think of traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But did you know that with the advancement of medical science, there is also a new and amazing treatment that is currently under research that uses "heat" or "warmth" to destroy cancer cells? That is what we call Hyperthermia Therapy. This is still in the research stage in many countries and is not a treatment that is available to everyone. But it is very important to know about it. So let's talk about it simply today.

Simply put, what is this hyperthermia treatment?

It's a very simple concept. In hypothermia treatment, controlled heat is applied to the area where the cancer cells are located or to the entire body. Why is this done? Because cancer cells are much less able to withstand heat than normal, healthy cells in our body.

Think of it this way: a healthy cell is like a strong, growing tree. A cancer cell is like a lifeless, weak plant. When the sun, that is, heat, hits, a strong tree can withstand it. But that weak plant quickly dies. That's what happens in this treatment. When controlled heat is given, healthy cells are not harmed much, but cancer cells are damaged and destroyed.

Another big advantage of this treatment is that it can increase the effectiveness of other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The heat weakens the cancer cells and makes them more sensitive to those drugs and radiation. Therefore, the results obtained from other treatments are more successful.

This treatment method is mainly divided into several types:

This treatment is not the same for every cancer and every patient. The way this treatment is done varies depending on where the cancer is and how far it has spread. Let's look at the main types.

Let's look at these types in a little more detail.

To make it clearer for you about these types, let's talk about them one by one.

1. Local Hyperthermia Therapy

This is like shooting at a target. The heat is delivered only to the area where the cancer is. This heat is produced using radio waves, electromagnetic waves, or ultrasound waves.

This method is most successful:

• For small cancerous tumors under the skin or on the surface of the skin.
• For cancers in small cavities in the body.
• For cancers that are too deep to be removed by surgery.

For example, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver, kidney, or lung cancers, and laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for deep brain tumors fall into this category. In these treatments, a thin needle-like device is inserted into the tumor and heat is emitted from the tip to destroy the cancer cells.

2. Regional Hyperthermia Therapy

This method is used to treat a larger area. For example, it is used to treat cancers in organs such as the bladder, cervix, or the entire abdominal cavity. It is usually done in conjunction with chemotherapy.

There are several main methods for this:

• Deep tissue therapy: High-energy waves from outside the body are targeted at an organ.
• Regional perfusion: This is a very strange thing. It heats an entire arm, leg, or a cavity. Sometimes they take some blood from your body, heat it up, and then put it back in the same area. Or they inject a heated chemotherapy solution into the area. This method is used for skin cancers (melanomas) or bone and soft tissue cancers (sarcomas).
• Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): This is a special procedure used for cancer in the abdominal cavity (the part where the intestines, stomach, and liver are located). After surgery to remove the cancer, a heated chemotherapy solution is pumped directly into the abdominal cavity to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

3. Whole-body Hyperthermia Therapy

This method is considered if the cancer has spread throughout the body, that is, if it metastasizes . This involves controlling the temperature of the entire body, raising it to around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), similar to a fever.

This is done using heated blankets, incubators, or hot tubs. It is believed that when the body is heated in this way, our immune system is stimulated and starts fighting the cancer cells. Just as when we get a virus, we get a fever to fight it.

What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?

As with any medical treatment, there are both benefits and risks. It is very important to have a clear understanding of this.

What happens before and after treatment?

If you are undergoing this type of treatment, there is a way to prepare for it. The medical team will explain everything to you.

Before treatment:

• Planning: A team of doctors will work together to decide the best treatment for you, including the order in which it will be given, the temperature of the heat, and so on. For example, some people may receive hypothermia treatment followed by radiation therapy.
• Tests: Blood tests are done to see if your body is ready for treatment. Also, things like ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan are done to find out exactly where the cancer is.
• Instructions: You will be given instructions on when to stop eating and drinking before treatment, and on stopping certain medications, such as blood thinners.
• Preparation: Before some local treatments, a small tube (catheter) and port may be placed under the skin. This makes it easier to give medication in one place, without having to get multiple injections.

During and after treatment:

The treatment process varies depending on the type you are receiving. Some treatments are as short as 10 minutes. Others take hours. During this time, your body temperature is constantly monitored using special thermometers. You may also be given anesthesia so that you do not feel any pain.

After treatment, if it was done as an outpatient, you will be able to go home the same day. However, if it was done with surgery, you will have to stay in the hospital for a few days. The recovery time will vary depending on the type of treatment you received. Your doctor will continue to monitor your condition and perform tests to see if the cancer has shrunk or if the cancer cells have disappeared.

In conclusion, this is a very promising and growing area of ​​cancer treatment. If you or someone you know has cancer, you can talk to your doctor about these treatments. He or she will be able to advise you on whether they are suitable for your situation.