Skin Cancer

Hyperthermia improves radiation therapy results for Melanoma by 27% over standard radiation therapy. (1)

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are Basal Cell cancer and Squamous Cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer, Melanoma, is more dangerous but less common. 

Studies conducted by Overgaard (1) showed a combination of hyperthermia and radiation treatments can improve the 2 year, "No Evidence of Disease" (NED) survival by 20% over radiation therapy alone.  In an international clinical study conducted in Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway involving 128 patients with recurrent or metastatic malignant melanoma, patients who received hyperthermia therapy along with radiation had a complete response rate for recurrent malignant melanoma lesions of 62% compared to 35% for those who received radiation treatments alone, and the local relapse-free survival rate at 5 years was 46% for those who received both hyperthermia and radiation and 28% for those who received radiation alone.(1)

Learn more about how hyperthermia works by clicking HERE.

Before Treatment & After Treatment: Melanoma of the Eye. 

The case study shown above includes the following history:  80 yr old male, diagnosed February 2011 with Conjunctival Melanoma, Metastasis to the Right Eyelid

  • Had Surgery in February 2011, but recurred in March 2012.
  • Received course of Ipilimumab in Feb. 2012,  was considered a "non-responder." Tumor continued to grow.
  • Was put on a course of Avastin in Oct. 2012, was considered a "non-responder." Tumor continued to grow.
  • Entered into clinical trial of PD-1 immunotherapy in Dec. 2012, was considered a "non-responder." Tumor continued to grow.
  • Referred for a course of Hyperthermia plus Radiation therapy in Spring 2013. Patient achieved nearly a complete response.

To schedule an appointment, please call the Center for Thermal Oncology at (888) 580-5900 or schedule an appointment online.

(1) Overgaard. International Journal of Hyperthermia, 1996. Vol., 12, No. 1, 3-20.