-
Hyperthermia
Fact Sheet,
the National
Cancer Institute, USA.
Personal experiences
with hyperthermia.
INTRODUCTION:
No single therapy or protocol can
combat disease all alone. There is no 'magic
pill'. The mind/body
connection and diet must always be
addressed first and foremost, and then healing
tools and intergrative therapies may be applied,
such as Hyperthermia, also known as Thermal Therapy,
for serious detoxification.
Whilst Thermal
Therapy is widely used across Europe and Asia, it
is limited in the USA as conventional American
protocols are still experimenting with it and
often utilizing crude forms of delivery such as
metal probes.
Far Infrared
thermal therapy available to the public for home
health maintenance and support, are in the form of
a lamp, fabric, or sauna. Pure far infrared is a
'dry' heat used in close proximity to the body for
optimal penetration, as can be seen in the large
thermal therapy 'incubation' units used in
European health clinics. Clothing does not have to
be removed.
Anyone who
has received
Thermal Therapy in Europe will attest it is not
inexpensive - clinic fees, hotel cost, travel
expenses etc - but results are often worthwhile.
However, for those wishing to use thermal
therapy units in their home, it must be stressed
that ...
a) Research must be done to find a unit
that will provide optimal benefits
b) Thermal Therapy is an intergrative
modality that may be used alongside conventional
protocol if so desired.
c) Emotions and diet MUST be addressed
d) Suitable
health care practitioners should be consulted
with throughout the journey to recovery.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
When reading the American NCI
document below, please
keep in mind that a
few methods discussed are crude and
involve probes which can burn the body.
Asian and European Far Infrared units (not traditional
saunas which give wet heat), are far more
advanced and do not use probes, therefore
there is no damage
to the body of any kind, just pure Far
Infrared dry heat which does NOT burn or
harm the body, only heal it.
The National Cancer Institute
(NCI)
- is the U.S. government’s
principal agency for cancer research.
Below is the NCI's
Hyperthermia Fact Sheet: www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/surgery/hyperthermia-fact-sheet
NCI Fact Sheet: What is hyperthermia?
"Hyperthermia (also
called thermal therapy or thermotherapy) is a
type of cancer therapy in which body tissue is
exposed to high temperatures (up to 113°F).
Research has shown that high temperatures can
damage and kill cancer cells, usually with
minimal injury to normal tissues (1). By killing
cancer cells and damaging proteins and
structures within cells (2), hyperthermia may
shrink tumors.
Hyperthermia is under study in clinical trials
(research studies with people) and is not widely
available (in the U.S.).
How is
hyperthermia used to treat cancer?
Hyperthermia is almost always used
with other forms of cancer therapy, such as
radiation therapy and chemotherapy (1, 3).
Hyperthermia may make some cancer cells more
sensitive to radiation or harm other cancer
cells that radiation cannot damage. When
hyperthermia and radiation therapy are combined,
they are often given within an hour of each
other. Hyperthermia can also enhance the effects
of certain anticancer drugs.
Numerous
clinical trials have studied hyperthermia in
combination with radiation therapy and/or
chemotherapy. These studies have focused on the
treatment of many types of cancer, including
sarcoma, melanoma, and cancers of the head and
neck, brain, lung, esophagus, breast, bladder,
rectum, liver, appendix, cervix, and peritoneal
lining (mesothelioma) (1, 3–7). Many of these
studies, but not all, have shown a significant
reduction in tumor size when hyperthermia is
combined with other treatments (1, 3, 6, 7).
However, not all of these studies have shown
increased survival in patients receiving the
combined treatments (3, 5, 7).
What are the
different methods of hyperthermia?
Several methods of hyperthermia
are currently under study, including local,
regional, and whole-body hyperthermia (1, 3–9).
In local hyperthermia, heat is applied to a
small area, such as a tumor, using various
techniques that deliver energy to heat the
tumor. Different types of energy may be used to
apply heat, including microwave, radio
frequency, and ultrasound. Depending on the
tumor location, there are several approaches to
local hyperthermia:
External
approaches are used to treat tumors that are in or
just below the skin. External applicators are
positioned around or near the appropriate region,
and energy is focused on the tumor to raise its
temperature.
Intraluminal or
endocavitary methods may be used to treat tumors
within or near body cavities, such as the
esophagus or rectum. Probes are placed inside the
cavity and inserted into the tumor to deliver
energy and heat the area directly.
Interstitial
techniques are used to treat tumors deep within
the body, such as brain tumors. This technique
allows the tumor to be heated to higher
temperatures than external techniques. Under
anesthesia, probes or needles are inserted into
the tumor. Imaging techniques, such as ultrasound,
may be used to make sure the probe is properly
positioned within the tumor. The heat source is
then inserted into the probe. Radiofrequency
ablation (RFA) is a type of interstitial
hyperthermia that uses radio waves to heat and
kill cancer cells.
In regional
hyperthermia, various approaches may be used to
heat large areas of tissue, such as a body cavity,
organ, or limb. Deep
tissue approaches may be used to treat cancers
within the body, such as cervical or bladder
cancer. External applicators are positioned around
the body cavity or organ to be treated, and
microwave or radiofrequency energy is focused on
the area to raise its temperature.
Regional
perfusion techniques can be used to focus on
cancers in the arms and legs, such as melanoma, or
cancer in some organs, such as the liver or lung.
In this procedure, some of the patient’s blood is
removed, heated, and then pumped (perfused) back
into the limb or organ. Anticancer drugs are
commonly given during this time.
Continuous
hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) is a
technique used to treat cancers within the
peritoneal cavity (the space within the abdomen
that contains the intestines, stomach, and liver),
including primary peritoneal mesothelioma and
stomach cancer. During surgery, heated anticancer
drugs flow from a warming device through the
peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity
temperature reaches 106-108°F.
Whole-body
hyperthermia is used to treat metastatic cancer
that has spread throughout the body. This can be
accomplished by several techniques that raise the
body temperature to 107-108°F, including the use
of thermal chambers (similar to large incubators)
or hot water blankets.
The
effectiveness of hyperthermia treatment is
related to the temperature achieved during the
treatment, as well as the length of treatment
and cell and tissue characteristics (1, 2). To
ensure that the desired temperature is reached,
but not exceeded, the temperature of the tumor
and surrounding tissue is monitored throughout
hyperthermia treatment (3, 5, 7). Using local
anesthesia, the doctor inserts small needles or
tubes with tiny thermometers into the treatment
area to monitor the temperature. Imaging
techniques, such as CT (computed tomography),
may be used to make sure the probes are properly
positioned (5).
Does
hyperthermia have any complications or side
effects?
Most normal tissues are not damaged during
hyperthermia if the temperature remains under
111°F. However, due to regional differences in
tissue characteristics, higher temperatures may
occur in various spots. This can result in
burns, blisters, discomfort, or pain (1, 5, 7).
Perfusion techniques can cause tissue swelling,
blood clots, bleeding, and other damage to the
normal tissues in the perfused area; however,
most of these side effects are temporary.
Whole-body hyperthermia can cause more serious
side effects, including cardiac and vascular
disorders, but these effects are uncommon (1, 3,
7). Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are commonly
observed after whole-body hyperthermia (7).
What does the
future hold for hyperthermia?
A number of challenges must be
overcome before hyperthermia can be considered a
standard therapy for cancer (1, 3, 6, 7). Many
clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate
the effectiveness of hyperthermia. Some trials
continue to research hyperthermia in combination
with other therapies for addressing different
cancers. Other studies focus on improving
hyperthermia techniques.
To learn more about clinical trials, call NCI’s
Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1 800 4 CANCER or visit
Clinical Trials Information for Patients and
Caregivers.
Selected References
1) van der Zee J. Heating the
patient: a promising approach? Annals of
Oncology 2002; 13(8):1173–1184. [PubMed
Abstract]
2) Hildebrandt B,
Wust P, Ahlers O, et al. The cellular and
molecular basis of hyperthermia. Critical Reviews
in Oncology/Hematology 2002; 43(1):33–56. [PubMed
Abstract]
3) Wust P,
Hildebrandt B, Sreenivasa G, et al. Hyperthermia
in combined therapy of cancer. The Lancet Oncology
2002; 3(8):487–497. [PubMed Abstract]
4) Alexander HR.
Isolation perfusion. In: DeVita VT Jr., Hellman S,
Rosenberg SA, editors. Cancer: Principles and
Practice of Oncology. Vol. 1 and 2. 6th ed.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins,
2001.
5) Falk MH, Issels
RD. Hyperthermia in oncology. International
Journal of Hyperthermia 2001; 17(1):1–18. [PubMed
Abstract]
6) Dewhirst MW,
Gibbs FA Jr, Roemer RB, Samulski TV. Hyperthermia.
In: Gunderson LL, Tepper JE, editors. Clinical
Radiation Oncology. 1st ed. New York, NY:
Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
7) Kapp DS, Hahn
GM, Carlson RW. Principles of Hyperthermia. In:
Bast RC Jr., Kufe DW, Pollock RE, et al., editors.
Cancer Medicine e.5. 5th ed. Hamilton, Ontario:
B.C. Decker Inc., 2000.
8) Feldman AL,
Libutti SK, Pingpank JF, et al. Analysis of
factors associated with outcome in patients with
malignant peritoneal mesothelioma undergoing
surgical debulking and intraperitoneal
chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2003;
21(24):4560–4567. [PubMed Abstract]
9) Chang E,
Alexander HR, Libutti SK, et al. Laparoscopic
continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons
2001; 193(2):225–229. [PubMed Abstract]
International Personal
Exeriences.
Far infrared
thermal therapy and
conventional protocol.
USA, MEXICO, CANADA.
All of the
individuals below followed conventional cancer
protocols and maintained contact with their
doctors, besides addressing their diet and
implementing additional modalities using intergrative
therapies of their own choosing.
 Keeping her body
in balance, no fear.
"At age 35, on New
Years Eve 2003 I found a lump in my left breast that
turned out to be breast cancer. My life was about to
change drastically. I had two lumpectomies to remove
the cancer and a sentinel lymph node biopsy that
showed lymph node involvement. The cancer was
diagnosed stage 2b. I underwent 4 months of dose
dense chemo. This is chemo every two weeks. My first
cocktail of chemo was Adriamycin and Cytoxan. My
second round of chemo was Taxotere. These drugs were
very hard for me to tolerate. I suffered from the
usual chemo side effects that included nausea, body
aches, shortness of breath, low energy, complete
hair loss, extreme swelling and many other
unfavorable side effects. I did manage to maintain a
positive outlook through out my treatments. On July
7, 2004 I had a bilateral mastectomy and
reconstruction. I wanted to prevent any chance of a
breast cancer re-occurrence.
My life was almost back to normal
in January of 2005. I had finished all of my
reconstructive surgeries. I was like most
Americans doing too much too quickly and was right
back in my hectic routine. I changed jobs in June
and the training was intense. I started in my new
sales territory August I, 2005. Life was good.
I was asked to participate in an
interview for breast cancer awareness month for a
local hospital giving complimentary mammograms to
200 patients. On Halloween 2005, the last day of
breast cancer awareness month I performed a self
breast exam and found a suspicious lump. I had
surgery to remove the lump that turned out to be
breast cancer again at 37.
I met with my oncologist who
scared me senseless with his talk of how grave and
serious the re-occurrence was being only 17 months
out from my last chemo treatment. My mother and I
left the hospital in tears and I told her I would
never see that doctor again because he did not
think I would beat this. My cancer was totally
different than my first cancer and this diagnosis
was stage 4. I had a PET/CT scan that showed lymph
node involvement with malignancy behind my left
clavicle bone, left of my trachea, two para-aortic
nodes, and a large focal area on my liver between
the left and right lobes. I was in serious
trouble.
After many prayers as to why this
happened to me again ... a dear friend of
mine called me on the phone and told me about a
wellness consultant, Mary Miltenberger in
Cumberland, Maryland. She specializes in patients
the doctors have given up on.
Body Mind and
Spirit:
Mary introduced to me the concept
of body, mind and spirit healing. I started
taking supplements to get my immune system back
on track. I changed my lifestyle eating
habits to all organic foods, no dairy, no
refined sugar or red meat. I used
Frankincense, a therapeutic grade essential
oil over all the areas where the cancer was
seen on the scans.
I used far infrared thermal
therapy for an hour, and did aerobic exercise for
5 minutes twice a day for 8 straight days. I
started to feel better and better as each day
passed. Everyone commented on how good I was
looking. I would reply "I feel terrific." Mary encouraged me to use far
infrared thermal therapy as much as possible,
knowing I had another scan coming up."
Stacey - Intergrative Therapies.
"I had a repeat CT scan with and
without contrast to have a liver biopsy done a
month later. Well, we could not find the lesion in
my liver it was so ill defined. The lymph nodes
were all back to normal size and no new lesions
seen within the liver, spleen, pancreas, adrenal
glands or kidneys.
I am continuing my far infrared heat therapy and aerobic
exercise. I have more energy than ever and I feel
fantastic.
Oh by the way, the swelling I (still) had from the
chemo is completely gone, and I've lost 25 pounds.
I have stopped fearing the return of cancer ... I
have gotten the fear out of my mind." - Stacey Sprenkle,
April 2006, USA.
 Cáncer de mama.
"Doy gracias
al Señor y a mis amigas Lolys y Conchita que me
dieron a conocer estos maravillosos aparatos,
hace dos años me diagnosticaron cáncer de mama,
después de 6 quimioterapias y 25 radiaciones
continuaron los chequeos de rutina. Hace 3 meses
que uso los aparatos diariamente, far infrared
de 2 a 3 horas y exercise de 5 a 15 minutos, la
electrotherap 1 hora. Los últimos
análisis salieron excelentes, el oncólogo dijo:
Señora hace 4 meses sus exámenes eran dudosos,
ahora todo está muy bien. Los recomiendo como
preventivos y para los enfermos que van a dejar
de sufrir, de inmediato se sienten resultados.
Son rejuvenecedores, regeneran células. Si
desean ser productivos y activos durante toda su
vida le invito a usar estos aparatos, cambiarán
sus vidas." - VIRGINIA BARBOZA, MONTERREY,
NUEVO LEON, MEXICO.
 Less
pain.
"I have owned and operated a very
successful therapeutic massage therapy business
since 1996. I have a young client who had intestinal
cancer as an external growth, diagnosed in May 2004.
Being an external growth with just a skin covering,
it was easy too see the extreme large size of it,
like a big grapefruit.
She borrowed our far
infrared dome unit last fall, September 2004, and
used it for two full weekends - 6 days and nights in
total. She used it for all of each day, only
stopping to eat and go to the bathroom. In those two
weekends she reported her tumour was shrunk from the
size of a grapefruit to the size of a golf ball.
Also, while using the thermal therapy she said her
pain was less than 1/2 and most of her body and leg
swelling disappeared too.
When it was
finally operated on, in January 2005, the doctor
said it resembled a shriveled, dried up prune." -
Brenda
Rose Natural Treatments, Brandon, Manitoba,
Canada.
A love
story.
"In January of 2006, Eileen used far
infrared thermal therapy for the first time to
maintain healthy lung function. Joan (her neighbor),
went over to her place and lent her the unit and
rubbed her chest and back with some essential oils.
Eileen slept under the unit and also used it in the
daytime as well for about 3 days. Eileen was so
impressed with the benefits that she and her
husband, Vic, purchased heir own. They both started
doing aerobic exerise twice a day.
About the middle of February 2006,
Vic was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and
was told by doctors that he and Eileen would have
possible another year together. He continued to
passive aerobic exercise twice a day, slept under
the far infrared unit and also spent as much time
as possible during the day under it. Eileen set
her alarm for every hour during the night so she
could get up and reset the units for Vic who was
sleeping under them.
"The doctors had told Vic that he
would have a colostomy after surgery. On March 7,
2006, Vic has his surgery and eighteen inches of
his colon was removed, however, he did not have to
have the colostomy. The surgeon then informed Vic
that they did not get all the cancer and that he
would have to have another surgery. He was given
some medication in pill form but did not have to
have chemotherapy. After 8 days in the hospital,
Vic returned home and started using the far
infared unit again frequently. Then 2 months after
the surgery, Vic started the aerobic exercise
again also.
In June, Vic went back to his
oncologist who told him his blood tests were good.
He then inquired what Vic had been doing, so he
told the doctor about the units and the doctor
asked for some data. Vic and Eileen went back to see
the doctor in July 2006 and gave the doctor the
data he had requested. At that time the doctor
informed them that Vic was healthy and would not
need further surgery." - Joan Lefaivre, friend and
neighbor, Canada.
Alternative
therapies.
In May 2006, Jean
Wiliams of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was told that she had
advanced cancer. In November 2006, Jean is healthy
and this is her story.
"Back in May, following 4 days of
lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and
bloating. Jean had to undergo an active
investigation in an acute care hospital. A CT Scan revealed a large pelvic
mass, which was thought to be an ovarian cancer
and multiple pulmonary nodules were present
bilateral. This is most consistent with
metastasis. There was also a defect in her left
kidney. This information was taken directly from
reports from the hospital and cancer care.
Jean was sent home with a long
acting analgesic and with Percocet 10mgs for
breakthrough pain. The wait for cancer care and
the treatment plan began. After waiting for one
month, we decided we could not wait any longer and
do nothing, so the alternative therapies were to
begin.
Up to this time, Jean gave up her
job as a school bus driver since bouncing about
and sitting caused her pain, and a short walk
resulted in a feeling of lower abdominal pressure
and pain. As well, she had trouble sleeping and
needed pain medication.
Jean was put to bed in my home and
two far infrared units were placed over her chest
and abdomen for 24hrs. Her blood pressure, pulse
and respiration's were monitored by me and were
stable. She got up only to go to the bathroom.
Jean had her meals in bed and drank lots of fluid.
Just 5 days after this period there was no more
pain.
Change in diet:
While lying under the units, my
good friend Karen and i talked to Jean about a
herbal regime and Dr. Johanna Budwig's
anti-cancer diet. The purpose was to change her
intestinal environment to make her body hostile
to invaders. Jean is a naturally positive person
with a fine sense of humor and so also
introducing positive thinking and visualization
was easy for her. We made a phone call to
Calgary and Jean spoke to another cancer
survivor. Our alternative plan was put into
place.
5 days layer, Jean started on her
herbal plan and the anti-cancer diet. This was
followed very diligently for 30 days and modified
at Jean's request. Jean continued on using the far
infrared thermal therapy for 1 hour each morning
and 1 hour in bed at night. Aerobic exercise was
done twice daily to increase her oxygen levels and
other benefits.
Sweat Lodge for
detoxification:
Also, our other sister Barbara,
practices Traditional Native Medicine and so we
arranged for the three of us to attend a
Sundance and another time for a Native Sweat
Lodge. Jean had wonderful support from her
friends and if her husband was out of town i was
able to stay overnight. I was always beside her
when she was using the far infrared. We talked
into the night. We all kept our positiveness
even though there was such an emotional roller
coaster felt by her family, friends and
siblings.
Eventually, Cancer Care did a
needle biopsy of her lungs with no result and in
search for a primary site for ovarian cancer, Jean
was scheduled for major abdominal surgery on
September 28th, 2006. In the meantime, we saw Jean
getting better and better with more endurance and
energy. She went back to driving her car and
returning to doing fun things like visiting her
friends.
Jean had her surgery on September
28th, with no cancer detected. Before her
discharge she had a CT Scan. Jean's oncologist
called her on November 17th, 2006 to say her
pathology report and her CT Scan was negative." - Respectfully
submitted by sister Verna Nicolls, retired
R.N. Canada.
Intense
therapy.
November 2010 Diane Bussiers
husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Surgery removed a malignant tumor but doctors
then wanted to remove his bladder, prostate and
lymph nodes completely, along with chemo and
radiation. The cancer specialist said without
these traditional protocols, he would be dead in
6 months.
Diane and her husband decided to utilize
alternative, natural therapy. They used far
infrared thermal therapy for 5 hrs a day coupled
with aerobic exercise and a homeopathic program
for 1 year. Mr. Bussier's doctors confirmed he
was healthy and well. - Diane
Bussiere and her husband reside in Wakaw,
SK.
DISCLAIMER: Personal stories do not necessarily
reflect results that other individuals may or
may not experience. These voluntary anecdotes
from individual users sharing what they
personally experienced, relevant to their
lifestyle and state of health, are not presented
as medical advice and are not intended with the
intention as such. Whilst real-life experiences
can be a helpful resource, medical advice,
diagnosis, or guidance
from your chosen
healthcare professional
is encouraged.
|
