Locoregional Hyperthermia for Cancer

Exploring the Potential Role of Noninvasive Deep-Tissue Heating in Integrative Oncology

Locoregional hyperthermia is an emerging approach to cancer care that uses controlled heating of a specific region of the body. ThermoField® is a noninvasive deep-tissue heating system that uses controlled radiofrequency energy to warm targeted tissues.

At Best Naturopathic Medicine, ThermoField® is offered within an individualized integrative oncology approach for patients interested in exploring the potential role of therapeutic hyperthermia alongside their existing cancer care.

The goal is not to replace conventional cancer treatment, but to evaluate whether hyperthermia may have a reasonable role as part of an individual's broader treatment strategy.

Interested in learning whether locoregional hyperthermia may be appropriate for your situation?

Schedule an Integrative Oncology Consultation

What Is Locoregional Hyperthermia?

Locoregional hyperthermia is a form of therapeutic heating in which a defined area of the body is exposed to controlled elevations in temperature.

Unlike whole-body hyperthermia, which raises temperature throughout much of the body, locoregional approaches are designed to focus heating on a particular anatomical region.

The National Cancer Institute describes hyperthermia as a treatment in which body tissue is exposed to elevated temperatures with the goal of damaging cancer cells or making them more sensitive to radiation and certain anticancer drugs. Hyperthermia has been studied in combination with treatments including radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Different hyperthermia technologies use different methods to generate and deliver heat, including radiofrequency energy, microwaves, ultrasound, and other approaches.

How Does Hyperthermia Work Against Cancer?

Cancer cells can respond differently to heat than surrounding normal tissues. Hyperthermia may produce several biological effects that are relevant to cancer treatment.

Depending on the technique, temperature, treatment duration, tumor characteristics, and treatment combination, hyperthermia may:

• Directly stress or damage cancer cells
• Increase blood flow within tumor tissue
• Influence tumor oxygenation
• Make cancer cells more susceptible to radiation
• Potentially enhance the effects of certain anticancer drugs
• Alter aspects of the tumor microenvironment

One of the most clinically important concepts is thermal sensitization.

Hyperthermia is often studied as an adjunct rather than as a replacement for conventional cancer treatment. The NCI notes that hyperthermia is almost always used with other cancer treatments and that clinical studies have investigated combinations with radiation and chemotherapy.

Hyperthermia and Radiation Therapy

One of the most extensively studied applications of locoregional hyperthermia is its combination with radiation therapy.

Radiation damages cancer-cell DNA. Hyperthermia may increase the susceptibility of tumor cells to radiation, providing a biological rationale for combining the two treatments.

Clinical research has evaluated thermoradiation therapy in several cancers.

For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in locally advanced cervical cancer found higher complete-response and locoregional-control rates when hyperthermia was added to radiation therapy, although the evidence and treatment approaches vary among studies.

Research in locally recurrent breast cancer has also evaluated the combination of radiation and hyperthermia. A systematic review and meta-analysis reported higher complete-response rates with radiation plus hyperthermia compared with radiation alone in the analyzed two-arm studies.

These findings are encouraging, but they do not mean that hyperthermia is appropriate for every patient or every cancer. Treatment decisions need to be individualized.

Hyperthermia and Chemotherapy

Researchers have also investigated whether heating tumor tissue can complement chemotherapy.

Potential mechanisms include changes in tumor blood flow, tissue perfusion, drug delivery, and cellular sensitivity to treatment.

The NCI recognizes hyperthermia as a treatment that may be used with chemotherapy and notes that clinical trials continue to investigate how hyperthermia can be combined with other cancer therapies.

Importantly, locoregional hyperthermia should not automatically be considered a substitute for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

Instead, the question is whether hyperthermia has a reasonable role within an individual's overall treatment strategy.

What Types of Cancer May Be Treated With Hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia has been studied in a variety of cancers.

Depending on the specific technology and treatment approach, research and clinical applications have included:

• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Head and neck cancers
• Prostate cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Sarcoma
• Other solid tumors

The NCI lists several of these cancers among those in which hyperthermia has been used or studied.

However, the evidence is not equally strong for every cancer type.

For some cancers, randomized clinical research has provided meaningful evidence for combining hyperthermia with radiation or other therapies. For other cancers, evidence remains investigational or less established.

This distinction is important when evaluating hyperthermia as part of an integrative cancer treatment plan.

Is Locoregional Hyperthermia an Alternative to Conventional Cancer Treatment?

Generally, no.

Locoregional hyperthermia is most appropriately understood as a potential adjunct to conventional cancer treatment, rather than a replacement for established cancer therapies.

Depending on the diagnosis, conventional treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, or combinations of these approaches.

An integrative oncology approach asks an additional question:

Can evidence-informed supportive or adjunctive therapies be incorporated safely and thoughtfully into the patient's existing cancer treatment plan?

For selected patients, hyperthermia may be one component of that strategy. 

What Does a ThermoField® Treatment Feel Like?

ThermoField® is designed as a noninvasive deep-tissue heating system.

Specialized applicators are positioned in contact with the body over the treatment region. Controlled radiofrequency energy is then delivered to warm underlying tissues.

Patients may experience a sensation of warmth during treatment.

Treatment parameters can be adjusted according to the treatment area, clinical circumstances, and treatment goals.

The exact treatment approach is individualized rather than using a single protocol for every patient.

Is ThermoField® Safe?

Safety is an important consideration with any therapeutic device.

The ThermoField manufacturer reports a controlled safety study involving 20 healthy volunteers who received a total of 80 treatments over six weeks. The manufacturer reports that the device was well tolerated at the temperatures studied, with no serious adverse events and several cases of mild, temporary skin redness at the higher temperature. These results have not been evaluated by the FDA.

More broadly, hyperthermia can produce side effects related to excessive heating, including discomfort, skin irritation, burns, or blistering. The risk depends on the technology, treatment parameters, and treatment area.

A medical evaluation should therefore be performed before treatment.

Who Might Consider a ThermoField® Consultation?

A consultation may be appropriate for individuals who:

• Have a solid tumor and are exploring integrative oncology options
• Are currently receiving conventional cancer treatment
• Are considering radiation therapy or other conventional treatment
• Have recurrent or difficult-to-treat localized disease
• Want to understand the current evidence surrounding therapeutic hyperthermia
• Are interested in learning whether ThermoField® may have a potential role in their individualized care plan

A consultation does not guarantee that hyperthermia will be recommended.

The appropriate approach depends on the individual's diagnosis, treatment history, current therapies, anatomy, and overall health.

Interested in learning whether locoregional hyperthermia may be appropriate for your situation?

Schedule an Integrative Oncology Consultation

Locoregional Hyperthermia as Part of Integrative Oncology

Integrative oncology does not mean choosing alternative treatment instead of evidence-based cancer care.

Instead, it involves looking at the whole clinical picture and considering how appropriate conventional and complementary approaches can work together.

At Best Naturopathic Medicine, an integrative oncology consultation may consider:

• Cancer diagnosis and pathology
• Stage and disease location
• Current oncology treatment
• Previous treatments
• Imaging and laboratory findings
• Symptoms and quality of life
• Nutritional and lifestyle factors
• Treatment goals
• Potential adjunctive therapies such as hyperthermia

The objective is to develop a thoughtful, individualized plan that complements — rather than unnecessarily conflicts with — the patient's oncology care.

Frequently Asked Questions About ThermoField® and Cancer Hyperthermia

What is ThermoField®?

ThermoField® is a noninvasive deep-tissue heating system that uses controlled radiofrequency energy delivered through specialized applicators to warm tissues.

What is locoregional hyperthermia?

Locoregional hyperthermia uses controlled heating of a specific region of the body rather than heating the entire body. Hyperthermia has been studied as an adjunct to treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Can hyperthermia be combined with radiation?

Yes. Hyperthermia has been investigated in combination with radiation therapy because heating may increase the sensitivity of some cancer cells to radiation.

Can hyperthermia be combined with chemotherapy?

Hyperthermia has been studied in combination with chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Whether such an approach is appropriate depends on the individual cancer and treatment plan.

Does ThermoField® cure cancer?

There is currently insufficient evidence to claim that ThermoField® cures cancer. It should not be promoted as a standalone cancer cure or as a replacement for conventional cancer treatment.

Is ThermoField® FDA approved?

No. The manufacturer currently identifies ThermoField® as an investigational device and states that it has not been cleared or approved by the FDA for the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of disease.

Is hyperthermia an established cancer treatment?

Hyperthermia is an established area of cancer research and is used at some specialized centers, particularly in combination with other treatments. However, it is not widely available, and its clinical role varies according to cancer type, technique, and treatment setting.

How do I know if ThermoField® may be appropriate for me?

An individualized consultation is the best way to determine whether therapeutic hyperthermia is worth considering. Your diagnosis, pathology, imaging, current treatment, previous treatments, and goals of care should all be considered.

Explore Locoregional Hyperthermia at Best Naturopathic Medicine

If you are researching locoregional hyperthermia, ThermoField®, or integrative cancer care, we invite you to learn more about how this emerging approach may fit into your individual treatment plan.

During an integrative oncology consultation, we can review your medical history and current cancer treatment, discuss the available evidence surrounding hyperthermia, and determine whether further consideration of ThermoField® is appropriate.

Interested in Learning More?

Schedule an Integrative Oncology Consultation

Best Naturopathic Medicine
Santa Monica, California
Integrative Oncology & Naturopathic Medicine