The use of hyperthermia in radiation oncology is well established. Many publications cover the whole field of possibilities and problems of this therapeutic modality. The new development of interstitial and intracavitary hyperthermia, however, is not well known: there are only a few relevant publications in different journals. Therefore, it was appropriate that SAUER and SEEGENSCHMIEDT organized an international meeting on this topic, where experiences with this new and promising technique were compiled and discussed by experts. The papers of this symposium together with additional review papers and clinical studies are published in this volume. The publication begins with the physical and biological background of interstitial and intracavitary hyperthermia continues with comprehensive review papers on clinical topics and then gives examples for a wide variety of clinical applications. This volume will contribute to better understanding and application of the treatment possibilities of radio oncology in combination with this new treatment modality.

Inhalt

I Biology, Physiology, and Physics.- 1 Biological Rationale of Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy.- 2 In Vivo Experiments Using Interstitial Radiation and Hyperthermia.- 3 In Vitro Effects and Biological Potential of Long Duration, Moderate Hyperthermia.- 4 In Vivo Intraoperative Interstitial Hyperthermia in the DOG.- 5 Radiofrequency Techniques for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 6 Microwave Techniques for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 7 Ferromagnetic Techniques for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 8 Ultrasound Technology for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 9 Laser Technology for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 10 Review of Intracavitary Hyperthermia Techniques.- II Treatment Control and Treatment Planning.- 11 Invasive Thermometry Practice for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 12 Noninvasive Thermometry Practice for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 13 Methods of Thermal Modeling and Their Impact on Interstitial Hyperthermia Treatment Planning.- 14 Thermal Modeling for Interstitial Hyperthermia: General Comparison Between Radiofrequency, Microwave, and Ferromagnetic Techniques.- 15 Thermal Modeling for Intracavitary Heating.- 16 Thermal Modeling of Vascular Patterns and Their Impact on Interstitial Heating Technology and Temperature Monitoring.- 17 Thermal Modeling of Heterogeneous Tumours with Irregular Microwave Antenna Arrays.- 18 Thermal Modeling for Brain Tumors.- 19 Thermal Model Verification in Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 20 Future Developments in Respect of Thermal Modeling, Treatment Planning, and Treatment Control for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- III Review of Clinical Experience.- 21 Rationale for Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy for Tumors in the Head and Neck Region.- 22 Clinical Rationale for Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy of Gynecological Tumors: Review of Clinical Results and Own Experiences with Continuous Mild Hyperthermia.- 23 Clinical Experience of Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy Using Radiofrequency Techniques.- 24 Clinical Experience of Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy Using Microwave Techniques.- 25 Clinical Experience of Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy Using Hot Water Perfusion Techniques.- 26 Clinical Experience of Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy Using Ferromagnetic Implant Techniques.- IV Special Clinical Applications.- 27 Interstitial Radiation and/or Interstitial Hyperthermia for Advanced and/or Recurrent Cancers in the Head and Neck: a Pilot Study.- 28 Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Tumors: Results of a Cooperative Phase 1-2 Study.- 29 Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy for Pelvic Tumors: The City of Hope Experience.- 30 Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy for Pelvic Tumors: The Washington University Experience.- 31 Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy for Pelvic Tumors: a Cooperative Phase 1-2 Study.- 32 Interstitial Thermoradiotherapy for Brain Tumors.- 33 Intracavitary Thermoradiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer.- 34 Intracavitary Thermoradiotherapy for Vaginal Carcinoma.- 35 Intracavitary Thermoradiotherapy for Various Tumor Sites.- 36 Combined Intraoperative Thermoradiotherapy for Abdominal Malignancies: The Dartmouth Experience.- V Design and Conduct of Multicenter Clinical Trials.- 37 Statistical Considerations for the Design and Conduct of Hyperthermia Clinical Trials.- 38 Technical Quality Assurance for Interstitial Hyperthermia.- 39 The French Multicenter Trial: Results and Conclusions.- 40 Clinical Considerations for the Design and Conduct of Hyperthermia Clinical Trials.- 41 Thermobrachytherapy: Requirements for the Future.- List of Contributors.