Colon/Rectal Cancer

Hyperthermia can improve response to treatment in rectal cancer by 80% (Kakehi et al., 1990).

Rectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. These cancers can also be referred to separately as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start. Colon cancer and rectal cancer have many features in common.

The colon and rectum are parts of the digestive system, which is also called the gastrointestinal (GI) system (see illustration). The first part of the digestive system (the stomach and small intestine) processes food for energy while the last part (the colon and rectum) absorbs fluid to form solid waste (fecal matter or stool) that then passes from the body.

In a clinical trial published by Kakehi et al, 1990, hyperthermia when combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer demonstrated a total response (complete plus partial response) of 100%; versus patients who received chemotherapy alone, and achieved a total response of 20% (complete and partial response of 20%).

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