Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia therapy is a very gentle but nevertheless very effective treatment, and is one of the basic elements of the integrated cancer therapy concept of Medi-Therm Kliniken GmbH & Co. KG. During Hyperthermia therapy, tumorous tissue is heated using different techniques. As a result of this heating:

• The cancer cells are damaged
• The blood and oxygen supply is reduced, causing an increase of cancer cell killing
• The body's own immunological defense mechanisms are activated

Hyperthermia is applied solely or, in combination with radiation and chemotherapy. Hyperthermia is also used very successfully in the aftercare for secondary cancer prevention. Especially metastasis and tumors that are inoperable or resistant to other treatments can be influenced favorably by Hyperthermia. There are different forms of Hyperthermia used in the hospital:

Local Regional Hyperthermia

• Applied as Superficial Hyperthermia for different types of skin cancer and skin metastasis of other primary tumors.
• Applied as Deep Hyperthermia for cancers which are deeply seated for instance in the low mediastinum, praesacral area of brain etc.
• Applied as Prostate Hyperthermia

This gentle form of Hyperthermia is applied under local anesthesia. With the help of a catheter, a heat probe is inserted into the urethra and placed in the prostate. The probe is then heated up to a temperature of 114°-158°F causing benign and malignant tissue to melt. This procedure is controlled by a computer. Malignant tissue is destroyed and replaced by healthy tissue. Patients treated with this method experience a significant improvement in their urination.

Prostate Hyperthermia

The Transurethral Prostate Hyperthermia is suitable for the treatment of:

• Prostate inflammations (like prostatitis)
• Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
• Prostate Cancer (PC)

Interstitial High Frequency Thermotherapy (HFTT)

This is a method for special indications like liver or lung metastases. Under imaging control a fine needle is inserted directly into the tumor. At the end of the perforated needle steam under mild pressure is released, which helps to distribute the heat of the needle tip regularly into the tumor, causing an immediate tumor coagulation. This method is very effective and can prevent liver- and lung surgery. Of course the method can also be utilized with other forms of cancer for instance isolated lymphmode metastases or isolated lumps in the breast etc.

Systematic Whole Body Hyperthermia (SWBH)

The Systematic Whole Body Hyperthermia is specifically for all patients with advanced tumors e.g. suffering from cancer of the lung, liver, bones and for patients with malignant lymphomas.

Electro-Chemical Cancer Treatment (ECT)

Unlike Hyperthermia, this therapy does not use heat, but electrical current. To create an standing electrical field needles are inserted directly into the tumor. The electrical field changes the pH-value and the natural electrical charge of the tumor tissue. This disturbs the essential life-processes of the tumor cells and causes them to die. This therapy is used at Medi-Therm Kliniken GmbH & Co. KG for the treatment of:

• Breast cancer
• Tumors of the ear, nose and throat
• Gynecological, urological carcinomas and soft tissue tumors
• Skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma, spinocellular carcinoma and melanoma.

General Information
Basic Therapies

Hyperthermia
Local Regional Hyperthermia
Prostate Hyperthermia
Interstitial High Frequency Thermotherapy (HFTT)
Systematic Whole Body Hyperthermia (SWBH)
Electro-Chemical Cancer Treatment (ECT)

Balneo-Physical Department
Psychotherapy and Art Therapy