Clinical introduction of novel microwave hyperthermia technology: the HYPERcollar3D applicator for head and neck hyperthermia

Clinical studies have established a strong benefit from adjuvant mild hyperthermia to radio- and chemotherapy for many tumor sites, including the head and neck. Based on simulation studies we developed the HYPERcollar applicator that allows applying focused microwave hyperthermia at 434MHz to tumors in the head and neck region. In addition, we developed a simulation based strategy using a combination of electromagnetic and temperature simulators, which is present during the treatment providing online control of the applied 3D heating distribution. In this paper, we describe the simulation guided development of a novel applicator for head and neck region, e.g. the HYPERcollar3D. In addition, we provide early clinical data showing that this applicator, combined with our unique realtime electromagnetic simulation guided strategy, allows adaptive focused heating of tumors in the very challenging head and neck region.