Radiofrequency hyperthermia for malignant liver tumors: the clinical results of seven patients.

OBJECTIVE

Since 1991, we have performed radiofrequency hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy preliminarily for malignant liver tumors.

METHODS

We were using the BSD-1000 Annular phased array system and monitored intratumoral, skin superficial and intrarectal temperature. The subjects consisted of five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and two with metastatic liver cancer. All seven patients received therapy from once to five times, with a mean frequency of 3.3 +/- 1.3 (S.D) times.

RESULTS

The maximum intratumoral temperature was 42.2 +/- 1.0 (S.D.) degrees of centigrade, the length that intratumoral temperature reached 41 degrees of centigrade was 17.1 +/- 6.9 (S.D.) minutes and the length that intratumoral temperature kept above 41 degrees of centigrade was 30.8 +/- 7.5 (S.D.) minutes. The skin superficial and intrarectal temperature were 39.3 +/- 1.1 (S.D.) degrees of centigrade, 40.3 +/- 1.8 (S.D.) degrees of centigrade, respectively. The most common complaints were nausea (28%) and dyspnea (14%).

CONCLUSIONS

No severe side effects were observed, although one case experienced an abdominal skin burn. We thus found that it was possible to heat deepseated liver tumors safely.