Clinical evaluation of total-body hyperthermia combined with anticancer chemotherapy for far-advanced miscellaneous cancer in Japan

One hundred sixty-eight patients with miscellaneous far-advanced cancer received a total of 444 extracorporeally induced total-body hyperthermia (TRHT) treatments in seven Japanese hospitals. Overall, a regression of malignancy was observed in 39 of 132 evaluable patients (29.5%) and the most favorable results were obtained for patients with lung cancer. Irrespective of whether the tumors were primary or secondary lesions or recurrences, favorable results were obtained in patients whose tumors were in the lung, liver, lymph nodes, and soft tissue. No relationship was found between an objective response to TBHT and histologic types of the tumors. There was no clear relationship between an objective tumor response and the nature of the simultaneous chemotherapy during hyperthermia. Antitumor effects were not evaluable in 36 patients (21.4%). Of these 36 patients, 33 died before evaluation could be made; 24 died of various complications and 9 died of cachexia without complication. The mortality increased in proportion to the reduction of the performance status of patients before TBHT. These results indicate that TBHT should be used as therapy for patients whose tumors are in the lung, liver, lymph node, and soft tissue and then only on patients in generally good condition. Cancer 59:1101-1106, 1987.