Heat therapy in cancer treatment

Heat therapy in cancer treatment

August 5, 2015

Using heat to supplement conventional cancer treatments is highly controversial and requires substantial evidence from clinical trials. However, some believe using heat in addition to radiation therapy or chemotherapy may enhance the effects of these treatment methods. The idea comes from the role of using heat to reduce pain and infections in locally or systemically to allow conventional therapies to do their job. Laboratory data suggests that heat therapy in conjunction with radiation therapy helps with regional tumor control.
There are two methods of heat therapy that are advocated. One involves exposing a part of the body or the whole body to high temperatures. The other method involves injecting the body with a chemical named DNP (2-4-dinitrophenol) to induce a fever. The hope is to elicit the body’s own immune response through heat and aid in cancer treatments.
It is important to note that while heat therapy may have great potential in cancer treatment, it has not been proven through clinical trials. Mis-use may result in serious complications and health consequences.

Source: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/manualhealingandphysicaltouch/heat-therapy?sitearea=ETO

Image source: http://www.bsdmedical.com/newdesign/images/patient_hyperthermia2.jpg