Radiofrequency capacitive hyperthermia for unresectable hepatic cancers.

Radiofrequency capacitive hyperthermia combined with intra-arterial chemotherapy or chemoembolization was performed in 45 patients with unresectable hepatic cancer. Intratumor temperature was measured in 26 (57.8%) of the 45 patients. The overall mean maximum core temperature (Tmax) was 41.3 +/- 0.3 degrees C (mean +/- SE), and the Tmax was > or = 42 degrees C in nine tumors (34.6%). The tumor temperature rise was related to the power applied, embolization with degradable starch microspheres, and obstruction of the portal vein. The overall response rate was 31.1% (14/45). The response rate was 55.6% when Tmax was > or = 42 degrees C; although this was higher than the response rate of 11.8% achieved with Tmax < 42 degrees C, the difference was not significant. There were no serious adverse effects of hyperthermia.