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Hyperthermia Fact Sheet
from the National Cancer Institute, USA.
INTRODUCTION:
No single
therapy or protocol can combat disease all
alone. There is no 'magic pill'. The mind/body connection
and diet must always be addressed first and
foremost, and then healing tools and
intergrative therapies may be applied, such as
Thermal Therapy for serious detoxification.
Whilst Thermal Therapy is
widely used across Europe and Asia, it is
limited in the USA as conventional American
protocols are still experimenting with it and
often utilizing crude forms of delivery such as
metal probes.
Far Infrared thermal
therapy available to the public for home health
maintenance and support, are in the form of a
lamp, fabric, or sauna. Pure far infrared is a
'dry' heat used in close proximity to the body
for optimal penetration, as can be seen in the
large thermal therapy 'incubation' units used in
European health clinics.
Anyone who has recieved
Thermal Therapy in Europe will attest it is not
inexpensive - clinic fees, hotel cost, travel
expenses etc - but results are often worthwhile.
However, for those wishing to use thermal
therapy units in their home, it must be stressed
that a) Research must be done to find a unit
that will provide optimal benefits b) Thermal
Therapy is an intergrative modality that may be
used alongside conventional protocol c) Emotions
and diet MUST be addressed d) Qualified health
care practitioners should be consulted with
throughout the journey to recovery.
The National Cancer
Institute (NCI) - is the U.S.
government’s principal agency for cancer
research.
Below is the NCI's Hyperthermia
Fact Sheet: www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/surgery/hyperthermia-fact-sheet
 NCI Fact
Sheet: What is hyperthermia?
"Hyperthermia (also called thermal
therapy or thermotherapy) is a type of cancer
therapy in which body tissue is exposed to high
temperatures (up to 113°F). Research has shown
that high temperatures can damage and kill
cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to
normal tissues (1). By killing cancer cells and
damaging proteins and structures within cells
(2), hyperthermia may shrink tumors.
Hyperthermia is under study in clinical trials
(research studies with people) and is not widely
available (in the U.S.).
How is hyperthermia
used to treat cancer?
Hyperthermia is almost always used with other
forms of cancer therapy, such as radiation
therapy and chemotherapy (1, 3). Hyperthermia
may make some cancer cells more sensitive to
radiation or harm other cancer cells that
radiation cannot damage. When hyperthermia and
radiation therapy are combined, they are often
given within an hour of each other. Hyperthermia
can also enhance the effects of certain
anticancer drugs.
Numerous clinical
trials have studied hyperthermia in
combination with radiation therapy and/or
chemotherapy. These studies have
focused on the treatment of many types of
cancer, including sarcoma, melanoma, and cancers
of the head and neck, brain, lung, esophagus,
breast, bladder, rectum, liver, appendix,
cervix, and peritoneal lining (mesothelioma) (1,
3–7). Many of these studies, but not all, have
shown a significant reduction in tumor size when
hyperthermia is combined with other treatments
(1, 3, 6, 7). However, not all of these studies
have shown increased survival in patients
receiving the combined treatments (3, 5, 7).
What are the different
methods of hyperthermia?
Several methods of hyperthermia are currently
under study, including local, regional, and
whole-body hyperthermia (1, 3–9).
In local hyperthermia, heat is applied to a
small area, such as a tumor, using various
techniques that deliver energy to heat the
tumor. Different types of energy may be used to
apply heat, including microwave, radio
frequency, and ultrasound. Depending on the
tumor location, there are several approaches to
local hyperthermia:
External approaches are
used to treat tumors that are in or just below
the skin. External applicators are positioned
around or near the appropriate region, and
energy is focused on the tumor to raise its
temperature.
Intraluminal or
endocavitary methods may be used to treat tumors
within or near body cavities, such as the
esophagus or rectum. Probes are placed inside
the cavity and inserted into the tumor to
deliver energy and heat the area directly.
Interstitial techniques
are used to treat tumors deep within the body,
such as brain tumors. This technique allows the
tumor to be heated to higher temperatures than
external techniques. Under anesthesia, probes or
needles are inserted into the tumor. Imaging
techniques, such as ultrasound, may be used to
make sure the probe is properly positioned
within the tumor. The heat source is then
inserted into the probe. Radiofrequency ablation
(RFA) is a type of interstitial hyperthermia
that uses radio waves to heat and kill cancer
cells.
In regional hyperthermia,
various approaches may be used to heat large
areas of tissue, such as a body cavity, organ,
or limb.
Deep tissue approaches may be used to treat
cancers within the body, such as cervical or
bladder cancer. External applicators are
positioned around the body cavity or organ to be
treated, and microwave or radiofrequency energy
is focused on the area to raise its temperature.
Regional perfusion
tchniques can be used to focus on cancers
in the arms and legs, such as melanoma, or
cancer in some organs, such as the liver or
lung. In this procedure, some of the patient’s
blood is removed, heated, and then pumped
(perfused) back into the limb or organ.
Anticancer drugs are commonly given during this
time.
Continuous hyperthermic
peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) is a technique used
to treat cancers within the peritoneal cavity
(the space within the abdomen that contains the
intestines, stomach, and liver), including
primary peritoneal mesothelioma and stomach
cancer. During surgery, heated anticancer drugs
flow from a warming device through the
peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity
temperature reaches 106-108°F.
Whole-body hyperthermia
is used to treat metastatic cancer that has
spread throughout the body. This can be
accomplished by several techniques that raise
the body temperature to 107-108°F, including the
use of thermal chambers (similar to large
incubators) or hot water blankets.
The effectiveness of
hyperthermia treatment is related to the
temperature achieved during the treatment, as
well as the length of treatment and cell and
tissue characteristics (1, 2). To ensure that
the desired temperature is reached, but not
exceeded, the temperature of the tumor and
surrounding tissue is monitored throughout
hyperthermia treatment (3, 5, 7). Using local
anesthesia, the doctor inserts small needles or
tubes with tiny thermometers into the treatment
area to monitor the temperature. Imaging
techniques, such as CT (computed tomography),
may be used to make sure the probes are properly
positioned (5).
Does hyperthermia have
any complications or side effects?
Most normal tissues are not damaged during
hyperthermia if the temperature remains under
111°F. However, due to regional differences in
tissue characteristics, higher temperatures may
occur in various spots. This can result in
burns, blisters, discomfort, or pain (1, 5, 7).
Perfusion techniques can cause tissue swelling,
blood clots, bleeding, and other damage to the
normal tissues in the perfused area; however,
most of these side effects are temporary.
Whole-body hyperthermia can cause more serious
side effects, including cardiac and vascular
disorders, but these effects are uncommon (1, 3,
7). Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are commonly
observed after whole-body hyperthermia (7).
What does the future
hold for hyperthermia?
A number of challenges must be overcome before
hyperthermia can be considered a standard
therapy for cancer (1, 3, 6, 7). Many clinical
trials are being conducted to evaluate the
effectiveness of hyperthermia. Some trials
continue to research hyperthermia in combination
with other therapies for addressing different
cancers. Other studies focus on improving
hyperthermia techniques.
To learn more about clinical trials, call NCI’s
Cancer Information Service (CIS) at
1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) or visit
Clinical Trials Information for Patients and
Caregivers.
Selected References
1) van der Zee J. Heating the patient: a
promising approach? Annals of Oncology 2002;
13(8):1173–1184. [PubMed Abstract]
2) Hildebrandt B, Wust P,
Ahlers O, et al. The cellular and molecular
basis of hyperthermia. Critical Reviews in
Oncology/Hematology 2002; 43(1):33–56. [PubMed
Abstract]
3) Wust P, Hildebrandt B,
Sreenivasa G, et al. Hyperthermia in combined
therapy of cancer. The Lancet Oncology 2002;
3(8):487–497. [PubMed Abstract]
4) Alexander HR.
Isolation perfusion. In: DeVita VT Jr., Hellman
S, Rosenberg SA, editors. Cancer: Principles and
Practice of Oncology. Vol. 1 and 2. 6th ed.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins,
2001.
5) Falk MH, Issels RD.
Hyperthermia in oncology. International Journal
of Hyperthermia 2001; 17(1):1–18. [PubMed
Abstract]
6) Dewhirst MW, Gibbs FA
Jr, Roemer RB, Samulski TV. Hyperthermia. In:
Gunderson LL, Tepper JE, editors. Clinical
Radiation Oncology. 1st ed. New York, NY:
Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
7) Kapp DS, Hahn GM,
Carlson RW. Principles of Hyperthermia. In: Bast
RC Jr., Kufe DW, Pollock RE, et al., editors.
Cancer Medicine e.5. 5th ed. Hamilton, Ontario:
B.C. Decker Inc., 2000.
8) Feldman AL, Libutti
SK, Pingpank JF, et al. Analysis of factors
associated with outcome in patients with
malignant peritoneal mesothelioma undergoing
surgical debulking and intraperitoneal
chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2003;
21(24):4560–4567. [PubMed Abstract]
9) Chang E, Alexander HR,
Libutti SK, et al. Laparoscopic continuous
hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion. Journal of
the American College of Surgeons 2001;
193(2):225–229. [PubMed Abstract]
International
personal experiences using
far infared thermal therapy with conventional
protocol.
All of the individuals
below followed conventional cancer
protocols and maintained contact with
their doctors, besides addressing their
diet and implementing additional
modalities, intergrative therapies of
their own choosing.
 Keeping her body in balance,
no fear.
"At age 35, on New Years Eve
2003 I found a lump in my left breast that turned
out to be breast cancer. My life was about to
change drastically. I had two lumpectomies to
remove the cancer and a sentinel lymph node biopsy
that showed lymph node involvement. The cancer was
diagnosed stage 2b. I underwent 4 months of dose
dense chemo. This is chemo every two weeks. My
first cocktail of chemo was Adriamycin and
Cytoxan. My second round of chemo was Taxotere.
These drugs were very hard for me to tolerate. I
suffered from the usual chemo side effects that
included nausea, body aches, shortness of breath,
low energy, complete hair loss, extreme swelling
and many other unfavorable side effects. I did
manage to maintain a positive outlook through out
my treatments. On July 7, 2004 I had a bilateral
mastectomy and reconstruction. I wanted to prevent
any chance of a breast cancer re-occurrence.
My
life was almost back to normal in January of
2005. I had finished all of my reconstructive
surgeries. I was like most Americans doing too
much too quickly and was right back in my hectic
routine. I changed jobs in June and the training
was intense. I started in my new sales territory
August I, 2005. Life was good.
I was
asked to participate in an interview for breast
cancer awareness month for a local hospital
giving complimentary mammograms to 200 patients.
On Halloween 2005, the last day of breast cancer
awareness month I performed a self breast exam
and found a suspicious lump. I had surgery to
remove the lump that turned out to be breast
cancer again at 37.
I met
with my oncologist who scared me senseless with
his talk of how grave and serious the
re-occurrence was being only 17 months out from
my last chemo treatment. My mother and I left
the hospital in tears and I told her I would
never see that doctor again because he did not
think I would beat this. My cancer was totally
different than my first cancer and this
diagnosis was stage 4. I had a PET/CT scan that
showed lymph node involvement with malignancy
behind my left clavicle bone, left of my
trachea, two para-aortic nodes, and a large
focal area on my liver between the left and
right lobes. I was in serious trouble.
After
many prayers as to why this happened to me again
... a dear friend of mine called me on the
phone and told me about a wellness consultant,
Mary Miltenberger in Cumberland, Maryland. She
specializes in patients the doctors have given
up on.
Body
Mind and Spirit:
Mary introduced to me the concept of body, mind
and spirit healing. I started taking supplements
to get my immune system back on track. I
changed my lifestyle
eating habits to all organic foods, no
dairy, no refined sugar or red meat. I used
Frankincense, a therapeutic grade essential
oil over all the areas where the cancer was
seen on the scans.
I
then used far infrared thermal therapy for an
hour and did aerobic exercise for 5 minutes
twice a day for 8 straight days. I started to
feel better and better as each day passed.
Everyone commented on how good I was looking. I
would reply "I feel terrific." Mary
encouraged me to use far infrared thermal
therapy as much as possible, knowing I had
another scan coming up."
Stacey
- Intergrative Therapies.
"I
had a repeat CT scan with and without contrast
to have a liver biopsy done a month later. Well,
we could not find the lesion in my liver it was
so ill defined. The lymph nodes were all back to
normal size and no new lesions seen within the
liver, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands or
kidneys.
I am
continuing my far infrared thermal therapy and
aerobic exercise. I have more energy than ever
and I feel fantastic. Oh by
the way, the swelling I (still) had from the
chemo is completely gone, and I've lost 25
pounds. I have stopped fearing the return of
cancer ... I have gotten the fear out of my
mind." - Stacey
Sprenkle, April 2006, USA.
 Cáncer
de mama.
"Doy gracias al Señor y a
mis amigas Lolys y Conchita que me dieron a
conocer estos maravillosos aparatos, hace dos
años me diagnosticaron cáncer de mama, después
de 6 quimioterapias y 25 radiaciones continuaron
los chequeos de rutina. Hace 3 meses que uso los
aparatos diariamente, far infrared de 2 a 3
horas y exercise de 5 a 15 minutos, la
electrotherap 1 hora. Los últimos
análisis salieron excelentes, el oncólogo dijo:
Señora hace 4 meses sus exámenes eran dudosos,
ahora todo está muy bien. Los recomiendo como
preventivos y para los enfermos que van a dejar
de sufrir, de inmediato se sienten resultados.
Son rejuvenecedores, regeneran células. Si
desean ser productivos y activos durante toda su
vida le invito a usar estos aparatos, cambiarán
sus vidas." - VIRGINIA BARBOZA,
MONTERREY, NUEVO LEON, MEXICO.
 Less pain.
"I have owned and operated a very successful
therapeutic massage therapy business since 1996. I
have a young client who had intestinal cancer as an
external growth, diagnosed in May 2004. Being an
external growth with just a skin covering, it was
easy too see the extreme large size of it, like a
big grapefruit.
She borrowed our far
infrared unit last fall, September 2004, and used
it for two full weekends - 6 days and nights in
total. She used it for all of each day, only
stopping to eat and go to the bathroom. In those
two weekends she reported her tumour was shrunk
from the size of a grapefruit to the size of a
golf ball. Also, while using the thermal therapy
she said her pain was less than 1/2 and most of
her body and leg swelling disappeared too.
When it was finally
operated on, in January 2005, the doctor said it
resembled a shriveled, dried up prune." -
Brenda Rose
Natural Treatments, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
A love story.
"In January of 2006, Eileen used far infrared
thermal therapy for the first time to maintain
healthy lung function. Joan (her neighbor), went
over to her place and lent her the unit and rubbed
her chest and back with some essential oils. Eileen
slept under the unit and also used it in the daytime
as well for about 3 days. Eileen was so impressed
with the benefits that she and her husband, Vic,
purchased heir own. They both started doing aerobic
exerise twice a day.
About
the middle of February 2006, Vic was diagnosed
with stage four colon cancer and was told by
doctors that he and Eileen would have possible
another year together. He continued to passive
aerobic exercise twice a day, slept under the
far infrared unit and also spent as much time as
possible during the day under it. Eileen set her
alarm for every hour during the night so she
could get up and reset the units for Vic who was
sleeping under them.
"The
doctors had told Vic that he would have a
colostomy after surgery. On March 7, 2006, Vic
has his surgery and eighteen inches of his colon
was removed, however, he did not have to have
the colostomy. The surgeon then informed Vic
that they did not get all the cancer and that he
would have to have another surgery. He was given
some medication in pill form but did not have to
have chemotherapy. After 8 days in the hospital,
Vic returned home and started using the far
infared unit again frequently. Then 2 months
after the surgery, Vic started the aerobic
exercise again also.
In
June, Vic went back to his oncologist who told
him his blood tests were good. He then inquired
what Vic had been doing, so he told the doctor
about the units and the doctor asked for some
data. Vic and Eileen went back to
see the doctor in July 2006 and gave the doctor
the data he had requested. At that time the doctor
informed them that Vic was healthy and would not
need further surgery." - Joan
Lefaivre, friend and neighbor, Canada.
Alternative therapies.
In May 2006, Jean Wiliams of
Winnipeg, Manitoba, was told that she had advanced
cancer. In November 2006, Jean is healthy and this
is her story.
"Back
in May, following 4 days of lower abdominal
pain, nausea, vomiting and bloating. Jean had to
undergo an active investigation in an acute care
hospital. A CT Scan
revealed a large pelvic mass, which was thought
to be an ovarian cancer and multiple pulmonary
nodules were present bilateral. This is most
consistent with metastasis. There was also a
defect in her left kidney. This information was
taken directly from reports from the hospital
and cancer care.
Jean
was sent home with a long acting analgesic and
with Percocet 10mgs for breakthrough pain. The
wait for cancer care and the treatment plan
began. After waiting for one month, we decided
we could not wait any longer and do nothing, so
the alternative therapies were to begin.
Up to
this time, Jean gave up her job as a school bus
driver since bouncing about and sitting caused
her pain, and a short walk resulted in a feeling
of lower abdominal pressure and pain. As well,
she had trouble sleeping and needed pain
medication.
Jean
was put to bed in my home and two far infrared
units were placed over her chest and abdomen for
24hrs. Her blood pressure, pulse and
respiration's were monitored by me and were
stable. She got up only to go to the bathroom.
Jean had her meals in bed and drank lots of
fluid. Just 5 days after this period there was
no more pain.
Change in diet:
While lying under the units, my good friend
Karen and i talked to Jean about a herbal regime
and Dr. Johanna Budwig's anti-cancer diet. The
purpose was to change her intestinal environment
to make her body hostile to invaders. Jean is a
naturally positive person with a fine sense of
humor and so also introducing positive thinking
and visualization was easy for her. We made a
phone call to Calgary and Jean spoke to another
cancer survivor. Our alternative plan was put
into place.
5
days layer, Jean started on her herbal plan and
the anti-cancer diet. This was followed very
diligently for 30 days and modified at Jean's
request. Jean continued on using the far
infrared thermal therapy for 1 hour each morning
and 1 hour in bed at night. Aerobic exercise was
done twice daily to increase her oxygen levels
and other benefits.
Sweat Lodge for
detoxification:
Also, our other sister Barbara, practices
Traditional Native Medicine and so we arranged
for the three of us to attend a Sundance and
another time for a Native Sweat Lodge. Jean had
wonderful support from her friends and if her
husband was out of town i was able to stay
overnight. I was always beside her when she was
using the far infrared. We talked into the
night. We all kept our positiveness even though
there was such an emotional roller coaster felt
by her family, friends and siblings.
Eventually,
Cancer Care did a needle biopsy of her lungs
with no result and in search for a primary site
for ovarian cancer, Jean was scheduled for major
abdominal surgery on September 28th, 2006. In
the meantime, we saw Jean getting better and
better with more endurance and energy. She went
back to driving her car and returning to doing
fun things like visiting her friends.
Jean
had her surgery on September 28th, with no
cancer detected. Before her discharge she had a
CT Scan. Jean's oncologist called her on
November 17th, 2006 to say her pathology report
and her CT Scan was negative." -
Respectfully submitted by sister Verna
Nicolls, retired R.N. Canada.
Intense
therapy.
November 2010 Diane Bussiers husband was
diagnosed with bladder cancer. Surgery removed a
malignant tumor but doctors then wanted to
remove his bladder, prostate and lymph nodes
completely, along with chemo and radiation. The
cancer specialist said without these traditional
protocols, he would be dead in 6 months.
Diane and her husband decided to utilize
alternative, natural therapy. They used far
infrared thermal therapy for 5 hrs a day coupled
with aerobic exercise and a homeopathic program
for 1 year. Mr. Bussier's doctors confirmed he
was healthy and well. -
Diane Bussiere and her husband reside in
Wakaw, SK.
DISCLAIMER:
Personal stories do not necessarily reflect
results that other individuals may or may not
experience. These voluntary
anecdotes from individual users sharing
what they personally experienced, relevant
to their lifestyle and state of health,
are not to be used as medical advice and are not
presented with the intention as such. Whilst
real-life experiences can be a helpful resource,
they are not a substitute for medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health
care provider. Personal experiences are not
scientific evidence.
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