HYPERTHERMIA – A RISE IN TEMPERATURE/OVERHEATING, THE “ARTIFICIAL” FEVER

What is Hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia, as a method of treatment, means overheating, i.e. a targeted increase in the body temperature in certain target areas of the body or in the entire organism.

A differentiation is made between

  • local and locoregional hyperthermia, where the temperature in the region to be treated is increased to 39 – 45°C,
    and
  • whole-body hyperthermia (WBHT), with an increase in the body temperature, in regard to which a distinction is made between mild (< 38.5°C), moderate (38.5 - 40.5°C) and extreme (40.5 - approx. 42°C) WBHT.

The most diverse medical devices are available, for implementing the hyperthermia, which work with electromagnetic waves, infra-red radiation (water-filtered infrared-A), hyperthermic perfusion or contact heat.

THE EFFECTS OF HYPERTHERMIA

Hyperthermia leads to intensification of the metabolism, an increased blood supply with an increased supply of oxygen, and activation of the immune system in the entire organism or in a region of the body being treated. The treatment, which is usually well tolerated, has a sustained impact upon the patient’s well-being.

Through these fundamental effects, hyperthermia can be successfully deployed in the case of many pathologies, from pain management and the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases to treating depression and the use of it in cancer therapy.

MODES OF ACTION OF HYPERTHERMIA IN CANCER THERAPY

Increases in temperature of a few degrees Celsius can improve the efficacy of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapies based on various biological mechanisms:

  • Tumour tissue that is low in oxygen (hypoxic) frequently demonstrates a high degree of resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Hyperthermia can increase the oxygen concentration in the tumour, and thus counteract this resistance. The flow of active substances and immune cells is also promoted.
  • Tumours can often repair the DNA in their cells that has been damaged by radiotherapy and chemotherapy again. Hyperthermia impairs the functioning of the repair enzymes involved.
  • In the case of some types of chemotherapy, hyperthermia improves their metabolisation.
  • Tumour cells express heat shock proteins on their surface, which causes the immune system to be able to better recognise the cancer cells, and fight them (reinforcing the antigenicity).
  • The activity of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-cells is increased.

 

Through these hyperthermic effects, the effect of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapies can be reinforced. When standard therapies are combined with hyperthermia, therapy-resistant tumours can be re-activated in regard to the therapy.

HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND HYPERTHERMIA

Although the efficacy of hyperthermia in the case of various non-oncological and oncological diseases has been proven by way of randomised trials, the statutory health insurance companies only accept the costs of specific hyperthermic methods and a few oncological indications.

It is the task of the DGHT to support donation-assisted research activities, in order to enable further evidence of effectiveness and provide information about it. In this way, the recognition of hyperthermia in the Federal Republic of Germany is supposed to be improved further.

Hyperthermia can improve the prognosis of cancer and chronic diseases (e.g. fibromyalgia), increase the quality of life, stabilise the emotional well-being and strengthen the immune system.

We hope that we have given you courage with this information, and wish you all the best. Should you have any further questions regarding therapy concepts and methods of treating chronic diseases and cancer, as well as general states of exhaustion and burn-out syndrome, our experts will be happy to assist you (see, in that respect, member addresses).

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Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hyperthermie e.V.
IBAN: DE31 2825 0110 0033 7098 09 BIC: BRLADE21WHV

DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS?

Hyperthermia can save, prolong and improve life. Since questions are being asked more frequently in this complex area, we have summarized the most frequently asked questions for you.
For all other concerns, we look forward to every single inquiry.

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