The cancer cells self-termination ability gets reactivated

Apoptosis is a term used to describe natural cell suicide. Apoptosis is deactivated in cancer cells and therefore are not able to recognize their own malfunctions and terminate their existence. This is one of the fundamental differences between a cancer cell and a healthy cell. During local deep tissue hyperthermia, radio waves (13,56 MHz) permeate the body in the afflicted area and get converted into heat energy inside tumor tissue. Healthy cell do not have the same vibrational frequency and therefore do not get heated or damaged. Due to the combined heat and electric field created in local hyperthermia, this therapy has also shown to re-active a cancer cells ability to undergo apoptosis (programed cell death).

Disease progression during local and whole body hyperthermia is measured with various methods such as: computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultra sound, thermography and tumor markers. Through these analyses it has been found that cancers located in the abdominal region are especially susceptible to local hyperthermia. Included in these are; liver, gall bladder and pancreatic tumors. Until a few years ago due to chemo-resistance, liver metastasis did not have a viable treatment option, now the availability of a hyperthermia, along with other treatments or as an independent therapy, has given hope to patients. Especially as the side effects of local hyperthermia are low to non existent.

Sweating and drinking leads to a “fluid exchange”

The moderate whole body hyperthermia is primarily used conjunctive therapy option to hinder the proliferation and growth of tumor tissue. The immune stimulating effect of fever has been well known and proven since several decades. During the whole body hyperthermia the patient lies horizontally in a heating chamber with their head out to prevent overheating of the brain. The heat of the chamber is adjusted upon the reaction of each individual. Within 2-3 hours the core body temperature gets increased up to a maximum of 40.5 °C (more commonly the temperature ranges from 39 °C to 40 °C). This temperature is then held for up to 2 hours. During this the patients sweats between 2 and 3 liters and correspondingly drinks the same amount of filtered water. This results in a rapid fluid exchange and in toxic patients this mobilization has a detoxifying action. Patients may experience the positive effects of such a detoxification or cleansing for days and even weeks following the treatment. Depending on individual circumstances this therapy can be repeated every 1-4 weeks.

With psychology survival time increases

Alongside hyperthermia psychotherapeutic management of the patient is a fundamental core to therapy outcomes. Care and specific therapeutic actions during this fever state enables the treatment and healing of deep-seated fears, anxieties, anger and trauma that are commonly associated with cancer conditions. Even in language the experience of a fever is often an expression of emotion. One can have a mental fever of passion, anger, jealousy, happiness, etc. All these strong emotions are connected with a feeling or understanding of heat. Therefore the treatment of these situations during whole body hyperthermia dramatically speeds up the therapy. Commonly the most intense and breakthrough related consultations are held during or after such a therapy. The experience of the fever and corresponding physical exhaustion allows the higher intellect to separate itself somewhat and become more aware of its situation. Therefore patients are commonly more open about their situation and can become more in touch with their inner feelings. Because of this they are more ready to confront and work on situations and topics that would previously not have been possible. Therefore the combination of physical heating and physiological opening allows for a joint therapy.

As the understanding of this treatment method becomes more widespread, locations of treatment also become more available. However it is possible to have whole body hyperthermia in the confines of your own home. The use of infra-red sauna can induce an increase in core body temperature. This enables similar clinical results to medically induced whole body hyperthermia.

In conclusion the use of hyperthermia as a cancer therapy has long been out of its experimental and trial stages. Therefore with growing acceptance and understanding the utilization of the therapy will become a standard affair.