For those who are fighting the battle against cancer, it is often important to explore every possible therapy option. In addition to the standard cancer treatments of chemotherapy, radiation and surgical therapies, there are also a number of alternative treatments that can be utilized. Hyperthermia, which is a method of using heat to weaken and destroy cancer cells, is one of these alternative treatments. Researched and studied by doctors such as Dr. James Haim Bicher, hyperthermia offers new hope and help for many cancer patients. These treatments, offered as an alternative to surgical and high dose chemotherapy methods, have produced good results for many people.
The Theory behind Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia works on the principle that cancerous tumor cells, due their disorganized structure, are less likely to be able to withstand the detrimental effects of heat as compared to healthy body cells. As a result, when cancer cells are exposed to heat, they are weakened or even killed. Because of the effect the heat has on the cells, hyperthermia is sometimes used alone for the purpose of directly killing cancer cells. However, more often it is used in conjunction with other traditional treatments, to weaken the tumor cells and make them more susceptible to the other treatments. For example, when hyperthermia is used prior to radiation therapy treatments, the tumor is rendered more susceptible to radiation. As a result, the other more traditional treatments are often more successful. Because it works so well as a complementary therapy, it is often paired with other cancer treatment methods. Patients have experienced success with hyperthermia, even in cases where the cancer has become advanced or has reoccurred.
Administering Hyperthermia Treatments
Because not all cancers are alike, there is no one way to administer hyperthermia treatments. Depending on the location and type of cancer, there can be different therapy methods that can be more effective. In some cases, the heat is applied externally. This often works best on cancerous tumors that are present in the skin, or are at least located close under the skin. In these cases, high frequency waves can be applied externally, using a device outside the body, to apply the heat to the cells. If the cancer is not accessible externally, then internal methods of applying the heat must be utilized. In these cases, sterile probes are sometimes used in order to access the cancerous cells. Using the probes, heat is applied directly to the cancerous cells, often by using high frequency energy. For cancers that have spread throughout the body, there are also whole body hyperthermia methods that can be used.
Receiving Hyperthermia Treatments
For the cancer patient, hyperthermia treatments often produce far fewer serious side effects, as compared to many other cancer therapies. Although patients sometimes experience reddened skin, irritation, blisters, or perhaps a minor burn, these effects are generally far less severe than what is experienced with many other cancer treatments. Although whole body hyperthermia methods do tend to carry a greater risk for side effects, as long as the treatments remain within the accepted temperature limits, the normal body cells generally remain unharmed. Because of the work of dedicated doctors and researchers, cancer patients can often find new hope in the form of hyperthermia.
The Theory behind Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia works on the principle that cancerous tumor cells, due their disorganized structure, are less likely to be able to withstand the detrimental effects of heat as compared to healthy body cells. As a result, when cancer cells are exposed to heat, they are weakened or even killed. Because of the effect the heat has on the cells, hyperthermia is sometimes used alone for the purpose of directly killing cancer cells. However, more often it is used in conjunction with other traditional treatments, to weaken the tumor cells and make them more susceptible to the other treatments. For example, when hyperthermia is used prior to radiation therapy treatments, the tumor is rendered more susceptible to radiation. As a result, the other more traditional treatments are often more successful. Because it works so well as a complementary therapy, it is often paired with other cancer treatment methods. Patients have experienced success with hyperthermia, even in cases where the cancer has become advanced or has reoccurred.
Administering Hyperthermia Treatments
Because not all cancers are alike, there is no one way to administer hyperthermia treatments. Depending on the location and type of cancer, there can be different therapy methods that can be more effective. In some cases, the heat is applied externally. This often works best on cancerous tumors that are present in the skin, or are at least located close under the skin. In these cases, high frequency waves can be applied externally, using a device outside the body, to apply the heat to the cells. If the cancer is not accessible externally, then internal methods of applying the heat must be utilized. In these cases, sterile probes are sometimes used in order to access the cancerous cells. Using the probes, heat is applied directly to the cancerous cells, often by using high frequency energy. For cancers that have spread throughout the body, there are also whole body hyperthermia methods that can be used.
Receiving Hyperthermia Treatments
For the cancer patient, hyperthermia treatments often produce far fewer serious side effects, as compared to many other cancer therapies. Although patients sometimes experience reddened skin, irritation, blisters, or perhaps a minor burn, these effects are generally far less severe than what is experienced with many other cancer treatments. Although whole body hyperthermia methods do tend to carry a greater risk for side effects, as long as the treatments remain within the accepted temperature limits, the normal body cells generally remain unharmed. Because of the work of dedicated doctors and researchers, cancer patients can often find new hope in the form of hyperthermia.
| If you're looking for an alternative cancer treatment, then you should talk with Dr. James Haim Bicher MD from the Valley Cancer Institute (recently renamed Bicher Cancer Institute). No matter if you're suffering from breast cancer or another type of cancer, learn more about hyperthermia and Dr. James Haim Bicher MD by calling them at 310-398-0013. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fiona_Baron |
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