Hyperthermia is a complementary cancer treatment method based on the controlled heating of tumor tissue to 39-44 °C. Cancer cells are more sensitive to heat than healthy cells, and this sensitivity is used to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This page explains how hyperthermia works, which types exist and how it is applied at ONCOMSI.

What Is Hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia is the oncologic application of thermotherapy, meaning “treatment with heat”. By heating the targeted tumor tissue or the whole body in a controlled way, it aims to weaken cancer cells biologically. It is different from hyperthermia in the sense of heat stroke: hyperthermia in cancer treatment is applied under physician supervision, with dedicated devices and within a measured temperature range.

Hyperthermia is not a cancer treatment on its own. It is applied as an evidence-based complementary protocol that increases the effectiveness of core treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The NCI (National Cancer Institute) and academic reviews on NCBI Bookshelf document the synergy of hyperthermia with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The History and Scientific Background of Hyperthermia

The foundations of modern hyperthermia research were laid in the 19th century. In 1868, the German physician W. Busch observed that bacterial fever caused tumor regression in a patient with soft tissue sarcoma who had an erysipelas infection. In 1892, the American surgeon William B. Coley turned a similar observation into a systematic treatment approach and developed the mixed bacterial vaccine known as “Coley’s toxins”. The full story is told in Coley’s toxins and the history of hyperthermia.

Coley recorded that fever (39-40 °C) provided sustained immune activation and was a critical factor in tumor regression. The philosophical origin is even older: the Greek philosopher Parmenides is quoted as saying, “Give me the power to raise the body’s temperature and I will heal every disease.” Today, hyperthermia is recognized by several European cancer societies as a complementary arm of cancer treatment.

How Does Hyperthermia Work?

The effectiveness of hyperthermia comes from cancer cells being more sensitive to heat than healthy cells. Tumor tissue lives in a more acidic environment, with less oxygen and a chaotic blood vessel structure. These differences allow heat to act more strongly on cancer cells than on healthy tissue.

• Cell membrane permeability increases: Chemotherapy drugs penetrate the tumor more easily.
• Apoptosis is triggered: Cancer cells are directed toward programmed cell death.
• Heat shock proteins (HSP) are produced: Tumor antigens are presented to dendritic cells, strengthening the immune response.
• Blood flow and oxygenation increase: The effectiveness of radiotherapy rises.
• DNA repair is inhibited: The damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy becomes lasting.

Types of Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is applied in three main types depending on the treatment area: local, regional and whole-body hyperthermia. Which type is used is determined by the medical oncologist according to the tumor’s location, stage and the patient’s general condition. For a side-by-side comparison, see local vs whole-body hyperthermia.

Which Cancers Is Hyperthermia Used For?

Hyperthermia is used for solid tumors (tumors arising from organs); it has no routine role in blood cancers such as leukemia. At ONCOMSI, hyperthermia protocols are planned for the following tumors: Each tumor type is covered in which cancers hyperthermia is used for.

• Breast cancer (including local recurrence)
• Cervical cancer
• Rectal and colon cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Lung cancer (non-small cell)
• Liver tumors and liver metastases
• Head and neck tumors
• Soft tissue sarcoma
• Melanoma
• Prostate cancer
• Brain tumors and brain metastases

Combination With Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy

Hyperthermia is not applied on its own; it shows a synergistic effect together with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Oxygenation and vascular permeability increase in the tumor area, and DNA repair enzymes are disabled by heat. The mechanisms are explained in hyperthermia with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

• With radiotherapy: Oxygenation in the tumor increases; local hyperthermia applied in the first hours after radiotherapy is the strongest window of synergy.
• With chemotherapy: Drug concentration inside the tumor rises; a positive effect on drug resistance has been observed.
• With immunotherapy: Heat shock proteins make tumor antigens visible, and the immune response is strengthened.

The Treatment Process and Session Protocol

At ONCOMSI, hyperthermia treatment begins with an evaluation by the medical oncologist and is planned as 1-2 sessions per week, 6-12 sessions in total. The process follows these steps: Session planning is detailed in how many hyperthermia sessions are needed.

1. Initial consultation: Medical history and reports are reviewed.
2. Protocol planning: Local, regional or whole-body hyperthermia is chosen according to the cancer type.
3. Preparation: A skin assessment is made and contraindications are checked.
4. Session: Local/regional about 60 minutes, whole-body 3-4 hours. Vital signs are monitored continuously.
5. Follow-up: Observation after the session, and the next session is planned.

Side Effects, Safety and Contraindications

When applied under physician supervision, hyperthermia is a generally well-tolerated method; side effects are largely temporary.

• Local/regional hyperthermia: Temporary skin redness, rarely a superficial burn, mild pain.
• Whole-body hyperthermia: Nausea, sweating, temporary fatigue, rarely diarrhea.

Contraindications:

• A pacemaker or implantable cardiac device
• A metal prosthesis in the treatment area
• Silicone implants (depending on the treatment area)
• Significantly impaired heat perception
• Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease

Hyperthermia at ONCOMSI: Equipment and Clinical Approach

ONCOMSI offers both local and whole-body hyperthermia at a single center in Istanbul, Turkey.