Transrectal Hyperthermia in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract

Hyperthermia, or abnormally high temperature of the human body or parts of it, has been induced artifically to promote healing since ancient times. The antitumor effect of heat was first reported by Busch in 1866, who noted that a histologically confirmed sarcoma regressed in a patient following an attack of high fever caused by erysipelas. It has been clearly established that controlled elevation of temperature to the hyperthermic range of 42°–45°C can selectively damage malignant tissue, while leaving surrounding normal tissue unharmed. Although there are many theories concerning the sensitivity of tumor cells to heating, the most important factor is probably defective heat dissipation by neoplastic tissue that occurs as a result of poor blood supply and decreased vasodilation capacity of the neovascular bed in response to thermal load. Tissue overheating causes extensive local cellular damage [1]. A synergistic effect has been shown between hyperthermia and radiotherapy as well as between hyperthermia and several chemo-therapeutic agents [2,3].