Hyperthermia is one of the cornerstone therapies at St. George Hospital. By using controlled heat, we can damage cancer cells, activate the immune system, enhance the effects of other treatments, and combat chronic infections.
Hyperthermia is a medical treatment in which body tissue is exposed to controlled, elevated temperatures. Cancer cells are more sensitive to heat than healthy cells, making hyperthermia an effective tool in oncology. Beyond cancer, hyperthermia is also used to treat chronic infections such as Lyme disease, as elevated temperatures can inhibit pathogen replication and stimulate immune activity.
St. George Hospital has been at the forefront of clinical hyperthermia for over 30 years, making it one of the most experienced hyperthermia centers in Europe. Hyperthermia protocols are supervised by Dr. Martin Rößner, Chief Physician for Internal Medicine and Oncology, who ensures that each treatment is tailored to the patient’s diagnosis and integrated into the broader therapeutic plan.
Heat is applied either to the whole body or to specific regions using specialized medical equipment. The elevated temperature causes direct damage to cancer cells and pathogens, increases blood flow to treated areas, enhances the delivery of medications, and activates immune cells including natural killer cells and heat shock proteins.
St. George Hospital offers multiple forms of hyperthermia, each suited to different clinical situations: whole-body, local-regional, prostate-specific, and high-frequency thermotherapy.
The suitability of any therapy depends on your individual diagnosis. Our physicians will recommend specific treatments only after a thorough assessment.
The type of hyperthermia determines the session format. Whole-body hyperthermia sessions typically last 4-6 hours including preparation and recovery. Local-regional treatments are shorter, usually 60 minutes. Your physician will recommend the appropriate type and frequency based on your diagnosis and treatment goals.
Hyperthermia has been extensively studied in clinical trials and is recognized by international oncology guidelines as a valuable adjunct to conventional cancer treatment. St. George Hospital has contributed over 200 publications on hyperthermia and integrative cancer care. The therapy has a well-established safety profile when administered by experienced medical teams.
Systemic heat for immune activation and cancer treatment.
Targeted heat applied directly to tumor sites.
Specialized treatment for prostate conditions.
High Frequency Thermotherapy for deep tumors.
Contact our medical team to discuss whether hyperthermia may be appropriate for your condition.
