Large volume hyperthermia of locally advanced tumours using microwave/radiofrequency heating systems

The authors discuss factors which limit the thermal dose/temperature distribution homogeneity in heated tissues and show how the limitations can be overcome (i) by large volume heating by preheating the blood entering the tumour volume, (ii) by stopping temporarily the large vessel flow through the tumour volume which will be mostly impossible, or (iii) by accepting the thermal underdosage and by considering the hyperthermia treatment as `debulking tool´ adjuvant to the primary treatment of radiotherapy thus enhancing the chances of local control of large volume tumours. The clinical coaxial hyperthermia system design is then examined