Interstitial hyperthermia of brain tumors by stereotactically implanted heating system.

ABSTRACT

Interstitial hyperthermia of brain tumors has been made by an implanted heating system using a metal implant with low Curie temperature, which was stereotactically implanted in a tumor. Induction heating of the implant was obtained by eddy current in a magnetic field. Safe, repeated and long-term treatment of 25 cases of brain tumor has been made with this system. Among 22 evaluable cases, 10 responded to hyperthermia alone or in combination with radiation therapy. There were 3 complete remissions, 5 partial remissions and 2 minor responses. The effectiveness of this treatment has also been evaluated by pathological examination.