Main description:

Local hyperthermia of malignant tumours coupled with radiotherapy or chemother- apy is attracting increasing attention in both experimental and c1inical applica- tions. However, this involves a number of technical problems, not only in the generation of the heat, but above all in physically determining the distribution of this heat in the target area. Radiological brachytherapy has enjoyed a massive revival thanks to the afterload- ing methods, which have made possible the safe application of radiation without affecting operating personnel. It was therefore a logical step to combine brachy- therapy with hyperthermia. This led to a new and promising method of treatment in oncology, and it is highly praiseworthy that Dr. HANDL-ZELLER has undertaken the task of bringing together the leading scientists and c1inicians on this specialised sector at the present time to publish their experimental and c1inical findings and results in book form. It is not possible to list and describe all the valuable contributions at this juncture.

Contents:

Brachytherapy and Hyperthermia: Biological Rationale.- Simultaneous and Sequential Treatment with Radiation and Hyperthermia: A Comparative Assessment.- Local Hyperthermia in Combination with Chemotherapeutic Agents.- Physical Aspects of Interstitial Hyperthermia.- Quality Assurance for Interstitial Radiofrequency-Induced Hyperthermia.- Experience with Radiofrequency-Local Current Field Interstitial Hyperthermia: Biological Rationale, Equipment Development, and Clinical Results.- Clinical Experience with Different Interstitial Hyperthermia Techniques.- Clinical Practice of Interstitial Microwave Hyperthermia Combined with Iridium-192 Brachytherapy.- Animal Experiments with Interstitial Water Hyperthermia.- Simultaneous Application of Combined Interstitial High- or Low-Dose Rate Irradiation with Hot Water Hyperthermia.- Interstitial Warm-Water Hyperthermia Combined with Ir 192-HDR Implantation: Principle, Practical Application and First Clinical Experiences.- Interstitial Hyperthermia with Ferromagnetic Seed Implants: Preliminary Results of a Phase I Clinical Trial.