CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF 430-MHZ MICROWAVE HYPERTHERMIA SYSTEM WITH LENS APPLICATOR FOR CANCER-THERAPY

The clinical efficacy of a microwave (MW) hyperthermia system using an electric-field converging (lens) applicator is evaluated for 42 malig nant tumours with a maximum tumour depth of less than 7 cm. The mean o f the maximum, average and minimum tumour temperature of the 42 tumour s are 44.5, 42.5 and 40.7 C, respectively. The thermal parameters are higher for tumours in the chest, abdominal walls and hip than for thos e in the neck, groin and extremities, No apparent difference in therma l parameters according to the depth of tumour is shown. Of 40 tumours treated by hyperthermia in combination with radiotherapy, 20 (50%) sho wed complete regression, 14 (35%) showed partial regression, and six ( 15%) showed no change. This phase I and II study indicates clinical fe asibility of the newly developed MW heating apparatus, and strongly su ggests the usefulness of thermoradiotherapy in the treatment of locali sed superficial and subsurface malignancies.