Three-dimensional power focusing and shaping for effective hyperthermia treatment planning

Microwave hyperthermia needs patient-specific and optimized planning tools in order to achieve an effective and safe treatment. However, development of these latter is not at all straightforward, due to the complex relationship existing between the array excitations and the resulting temperature distribution. In this communication, starting from a review of our recent results in this field, we discuss the ongoing advancements (and the open issues) concerned with the development of methods capable to solve the underlying electromagnetic focusing problem in actual hyperthermia treatments conditions, that is taking into account the vectorial nature of the fields, the 3D geometry that characterizes the scenario and possible lack (or inaccuracy) of patient specific information.