Local hyperthermia for tumors at moderate depth: Experience using three techniques

The authors developed three ways to heat tumors deeper than 5 cm. (1) Interstitial 915- or 300-MHz antennae inserted into plastic carriers and applied before and after In-192 therapy proved effective (complete responses in six of nine instances) and was well tolerated. (2) An intracavitary 915- or 300-MHz antenna housed in an air-cooled waterproof jacket, inserted into the pharynx, esophagus, or rectum, and combined with radiation teletherapy was less effective (complete responses in nine of 23 instances) and often poorly tolerated. (3) A system (POPAS) employing two 300-MHz applicators heats deeper than a single applicator but has had limited effectiveness (complete responses in five of 25 instances) for tumors in the extremities, pelvis, abdomen, and thorax. The toxicity was equal to that of a single applicator. The POPAS system shows promise for treatment of moderately deep tumors, particularly when an implant is not feasible