Radiofrequency and microwave hyperthermia in cancer treatment

Hyperthermia therapy involves mild heating (40–44°C) that has been shown to be a potent enhancer of radiation and chemotherapy. Microwave (MW) and radiofrequency (RF) hyperthermia devices provide a variety of heating approaches that can treat most cancers regardless of their size and depth. This review introduces the physics of MW/RF hyperthermia, the current state-of-the-art systems for both local and regional heating, and recent advancements in hyperthermia treatment planning and guidance using real-time magnetic resonance imaging. The clinical evidence from clinical trials involving RF/MW hyperthermia as an adjuvant for radiation and chemotherapy is reviewed to show that adequate heating can be obtained with state-of-the-art systems. These studies strongly support the use of adjuvant hyperthermia as it significantly improves curative and palliative clinical outcomes. We anticipate that recent technology advances will improve the treatment delivery and reduce its complexity, as pivotal components for expanding the use of hyperthermia at medical and radiation oncology centers and enhancing cancer therapy.