Uncertainties in the Micro/nano-Particles Induced Hyperthermia Treatment on Tumor Subject to External EM Field

Advancement of the recent micro/nano technology has stimulated the renaissance of using magnetic micro/nano particles embedded in biological tissues for the target tumor hyperthermia. As is well known, mathematical solutions of bioheat transfer involved in hyperthermia treatment are indispensable for computerized optimization of hyperthermia parameters. However, estimating the level of uncertainties associated with tissue temperature and thermal ablation area remains a major challenge. In this article, the uncertainties for the predicted temperatures of tissues due to approximate parameters were studied, based on numerical simulation of three-dimensional (3-D) quasi-steady state electromagnetic (EM) field and transient temperature response in biological tissues induced by the external EM field. Contributions of uncertainty from the tissue area permeated with micro/nano particles, the concentration and size of micro/nano particles, and the frequency and strength of the external alternating EM field were analyzed, and the uncertainty limits for temperature distributions in these cases were also estimated. The uncertainty analysis presented in this article is expected to serve as a significant guide for performing a highly efficient and also completely safe tumor hyperthermia using magnetic micro/nano particles.