FINITE-ELEMENT THERMAL MODELING OF THE HUMAN-BODY UNDER HYPERTHERMIA TREATMENT FOR CANCER

A two-dimensional finite element model of the prostrate region of the human body has been generated using the automatic mesh generation capa bilities of the software package ANSYS. The tissue types included are skin, fat, muscle, bone, intestine, nerve, prostate and tumour tissue. The thermal response of the model undergoing hyperthermia treatment f or cancer is obtained by solving the bioheat transfer equation using t he method of finite elements. Variation of blood flow rates due to inc reasing temperatures during hyperthermia are included. Transient tempe rature profiles as well as constant temperature contours are displayed using the extensive post processing and graphics capabilities of ANSY S. The results show how selective heating can be obtained in the tumou r region and the effects of varying blood flow rates. The limitations of using a commercial software package for modelling the thermal behav iour of the human body are discussed.