Combined Hyperthermia and Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Combined Hyperthermia and Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
A systematic review by Le Guevelou and colleagues, published in International Journal of Hyperthermia in 2022, examined the use of combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer. The review focused on studies that evaluated whether adding hyperthermia to standard radiotherapy could improve tumor control, enhance treatment response, and maintain safety in men undergoing treatment for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.
The interventions assessed included radiotherapy alone versus radiotherapy combined with local or whole-body hyperthermia. Hyperthermia involved controlled heating of tumor tissue to increase sensitivity to radiation, enhance blood flow, and potentially stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. Outcomes of interest included tumor response rates, biochemical control (such as PSA levels), treatment toxicity, and overall safety.
The review found that the addition of hyperthermia to radiotherapy improved local tumor control and, in several studies, enhanced biochemical response compared to radiotherapy alone. Importantly, the combination was generally well tolerated, with only mild and manageable side effects reported, such as transient urinary or rectal discomfort. The authors noted that precise temperature control, timing relative to radiotherapy, and patient selection were key factors for maximizing efficacy and safety.
For patients already receiving combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy, these findings support the effectiveness and safety of this integrative approach. Clinical experience aligns with the research, demonstrating improved tumor response without significant additional toxicity, reinforcing hyperthermia as a valuable adjunct to radiotherapy in prostate cancer care.
Reference:
Le Guevelou J, Chirila ME, Achard V, Guillemin PC, Lorton O, Uiterwijk JWE, Dipasquale G, Salomir R, Zilli T. Combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a systematic review. Int J Hyperthermia. 2022;39(1):547-556. doi: 10.1080/02656736.2022.2053212. PMID: 35313781.
