Haim I. Bicher

A pilot study to investigate skin and tumor thermal enhancement ratios of 41.5–42.0°c hyperthermia with radiation☆

This article reports the clinical results of the combined treatment of radiation and localized microwave hyperthermia to treat multiple metastatic melanoma tumors. The response of normal skin to the treatment was measured by evaluating the degree of erythema using a numerical scoring system. Tumor response to the treatment was assessed by measuring tumor diameter at follow-up visits. Whenever possible, thermal enhancement ratios for normal skin and tumor tissue were evaluated. The manuscript discusses problems associated with obtaining useful clinical data.

Microwave hyperthermia as an adjunct to radiation therapy: summary experience of 256 multifraction treatment cases.

Results in 256 cases of malignant disease treated by multifraction combination hyperthermia-radiation therapy under the supervision of one physician are presented. The overall response rate was 94% including a 62% complete response. Complications specifically ascribed to hyperthermia were minor, and most side effects of combined treatment were radiation dose related. Tumor response was somewhat better for chest wall recurrence (72% CR) and for adenocarcinoma in general (64% CR), but no significant dependence on tumor site or type was found. Most patients were treated with low dose external radiation with hyperthermia given by air cooled microwave applicators or intracavitary antennae operating at 915 or 300 MHz, and some by interstitial microwave antennae plus 192 Ir. Results appeared to be independent of the microwave source employed. Response did depend on radiation dose: complete response rate with 4000 rad was 65%, and with 2000 rad was 42%.

Changes in platelet and microcirculation function induced by ionizing radiation to the liver

Abstract Platelet aggregation and adhesiveness, as well as partial pressure of oxygen in tissue (TpO 2 ) responses to hypoxia were measured as microcirculation parameters in beagle dogs who were subjected to 60 Co ionizing radiation to a dose of 4600 red in 5 weeks. Simultaneously, changes in blood chemistry and coagulation also were determined. Marked changes in tissue oxygenation and an increase in platelet aggregation in the post-irradiation period led to the conclusion that radiation liver damage is, at least in part, mediated through microcirculation function disturbances.