[Combined treatment with 8 MHz radiofrequency hyperthermia and irradiation in a patient with advanced ureteral cancer].

Combined therapy with irradiation and 8 MHz radiofrequency hyperthermia using a Thermotron-RF Model 8 was undertaken in a patient with advanced ureteral cancer. The patient was a 72-year-old man who noticed lumbago at the end of 1983. CT showed a large ureteral tumor, 73 X 59 mm in size, and two bladder tumors. Aspiration biopsies of the ureteral tumor and transurethral biopsies of the bladder tumors revealed transitional cell carcinoma, grade III. A total of 46.8 Gy of irradiation was given for six weeks. In addition, combined therapy with irradiation and hyperthermia was started in April, 1984. The patient was irradiated with 1.5 to 1.8 Gy, twice a week, followed by RF-heating within an hour after each irradiation. In total, 54.9 Gy of irradiation was given, there were 6 sessions of hyperthermia. After the treatment, complete disappearance of the bladder tumors, 70% regression of the ureteral tumor as well as a relief from lumbago were obtained. However, recurrence of the bladder tumors and severe lumbago appeared five months after the treatment was completed. The patient died in December, 1984.