COMPUTER-ANALYSIS OF HYPERTHERMIA TREATMENT OF THE PROSTATE

A numerical method for analysis of temperature and heat transfer in pa tients undergoing hyperthermia treatment of the prostate is presented. The domain to be analysed is irregular in shape and consists of sever al materials and tissues with different thermal properties and complex boundary conditions. The blood vessels have temperature-dependent flo w and the physical properties also depend on the temperature. The fini te element formulation of the problem makes it possible to analyse dif ferent types of hyperthermia treatments, e.g. treatment of an enlarged prostate. The application shown here is a simulation performed in ord er to evaluate a thermal injury in a patient undergoing hyperthermia t reatment because of symptomatic prostatic enlargement. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science Ltd.