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LOCAL REGIONAL HYPERTHERMIA

Local-Regional Hyperthermia is a Non-Invasive Integrated Therapy In the Fight Against Cancer

Port Moody Health is one of just a few cancer centers in North America to offer Local-Regional Hyperthermia (Modulated Electro-hyperthermia using the Oncotherm EHY-2000 Plus) and one of the only clinics worldwide to offer both the Oncotherm local-regional hyperthermia AND Celsius42.

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Hyperthermia

Modulated
Electro-Hyperthermia

Oncotherm EHY-2000 Plus & Celsius42

Oncotherm EHY-2000 Plus is an advanced technology from Germany and offers a major breakthrough in integrative cancer therapy. Now, Canadians no longer have to travel overseas to receive the most advanced, integrated and potentially life-saving cancer care.

Local-regional hyperthermia has proven its exceptional value in cancer treatment. In Germany, Local-regional hyperthermia, (modulated Electro-hyperthermia using the Oncotherm-2000 Plus device) has for many decades been part of the standard of care for cancer treatment, used concurrently with chemotherapy and radiation.

At present, there are over 100,000 hyperthermia treatments (using the Oncotherm-2000 plus device) provided worldwide every year, to patients with a variety of different cancer types and stages of disease.

Our cancer care physicians, use Local-regional hyperthermia in conjunction with other evidence-based therapies that, when strategically integrated, provide the best outcomes for our patients.

First and only Class III Licensed LRHT device in Canada (Health Canada Medical Device License No.: 88986)

Local-Regional Hyperthermia is recognized as a treatment by the Canadian Cancer Society.
For more information CLICK HERE

LOCAL-REGIONAL HYPERTHERMIA
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CELSIUS42 LOCAL-REGIONAL HYPERTHERMIA

We are excited to announce the latest addition to our arsenal of advanced cancer-fighting medical technology at Port Moody Health: the Celsius42 hyperthermia machine. This state-of-the-art device brings groundbreaking advancements to standard and complementary cancer therapies, offering a more effective overall approach to treatment – without additional toxicity.
The Celsius42 machine heats tumor tissue by generating an electric field with a frequency specific to cancer cells, producing a targeted, cancer-specific treatment to the local and regional area where the electro-hyperthermia treatment is applied.

LOCAL-REGIONAL HYPERTHERMIA

Rigorous scientific studies have determined a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius effectively disables cancer cells and deconstructs the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby weakening cancer cells and the TME. Subsequently, concurrent and/or concomitant cancer therapies including radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and oxidative therapies (such as high-dose ascorbate) can more easily penetrate the tumor barrier and intracellular and extracellular cancer environment. This is commonly referred to as the radiation-sensitizing and chemo-sensitizing effects of medical hyperthermia.

Clinical studies on patients with various solid tumors – such as cancers of the breast, colorectal, anal, pancreatic, lung, brain, sarcoma, hepatocellular, prostate – have demonstrated that combining electro-frequency hyperthermia with radiation and/or cancer-fighting pharmacologic therapies results in a higher proportion of cancer cell destruction, greater tumor regression and less disease progression than control-arm of patients in these studies (i.e. those treated without electro-frequency hyperthermia).
The unique and sophisticated engineering of the Celsius42 allows for tumor-specific selection without causing harm to healthy tissue. Yet the local effects of targeted electro-hyperthermia does have systemic effects beyond the local area of treatment, notably it has been demonstrated to accelerate the body’s biochemical processes, generate a tumor-specific immune response, induce tumor suppressor genes and inhibit cancer-cell DNA repair mechanisms.
The therapy works by employing two non-invasive electrodes to raise the temperature in tumor regions. Electromagnetic waves cause water molecules to vibrate, leading to tissue heating above 40°C. This induced heat stimulates blood circulation and oxygenation within the tumor, enabling better distribution and absorption of cytotoxic agents. As a result, radiation therapy becomes more effective, particularly in cases of poor circulation or hypoxia.
Hyperthermia can disable cancer cells and weaken the tumor microenvironment. Electro-frequency hyperthermia with radiation and/or cancer-fighting drugs has improved outcomes for solid tumor patients. The Celsius42 targets tumors without harming healthy tissue, using two non-invasive electrodes to raise temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius. This results in better distribution and absorption of cytotoxic agents.

The Celsius42 machine advantages:

Enhanced Precision
Incorporating advanced temperature monitoring and control systems, it ensures precise and uniform heating in targeted treatment areas, optimizing the distribution of heat for maximum effectiveness.
Deep Tissue Penetration
The innovative technology enables the machine to penetrate deep into tissues, reaching challenging-to-access tumor sites. This allows for more comprehensive and targeted treatment in various body regions.
Non-Invasive and Comfortable
Patients experience a safe and comfortable therapy session with the Celsius42 machine. Its external heat delivery eliminates the need for invasive procedures, providing a relaxing experience on the treatment bed.

Celsius42 vs Oncotherm:

Treatment Area Size
The Celsius42 machine is designed for localized hyperthermia treatments, targeting specific areas or tumors, while the Oncotherm machine provides treatment to larger regions, such as an entire limb or body part.
Precision and Depth
The Celsius42 machine excels in precise temperature control and deep tissue penetration, offering a more focused approach. On the other hand, the Oncotherm machine provides broader coverage, more suitable to cancer patients requiring a different treatment approach.

WHAT IS HYPERTHERMIA?

In oncology, the term ‘hyperthermia’ refers to the treatment of malignant (cancerous) diseases by administering heat in various ways. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), scientists believe that this non-invasive heat therapy may help shrink tumors with minimal injury to normal tissue. The results from human clinical trials indicate that hyperthermia is both an effective complementary treatment to, and a strong sensitizer of, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Worldwide, evidence for the benefits of hyperthermia in integrated cancer care continues to mount, establishing a clear rationale for the use of hyperthermia in cancer treatment.

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HYPERTHERMIA
HYPERTHERMIA

WHAT IS LOCAL-REGIONAL HYPERTHERMIA (LRHT)

Local-Regional Hyperthermia-LRHT (Modulated Electro-hyperthermia using the Oncothermia EHY-2000 Plus device) employs a modulated electric field current to selectively deliver a controlled energy dose to a localized treatment area. A mobile electrode is positioned on the treatment area, while a second stationary electrode remains in a fixed position below the patient, integrated within the therapy bed. Operating at a carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz, this capacitive coupled circuit delivers energy directly to the malignant cells.

One of the most significant effects of LRHT is its ability to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy (chemo-sensitization). The positive results of phase II & III clinical trials have established that LRHT with chemotherapy is a novel clinical modality that allows the chemotherapy to be better targeted within the heated tumor.

The aim of LRHT is to achieve the optimal thermal dose in the tumor tissue. This is generally defined as a modest elevation of temperature to a range of 40° to 45°C. without exceeding the tolerance limits of the surrounding normal tissues, which means very low risk of healthy tissue damage.

Aesthetic Treatments

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IPL for reducing sun damage, age spots, freckles, redness, rosacea and vascular lesions

Votiva Vaginal Rejuvenation for vaginal dryness, vaginal discomfort, pain with intercourse, impaired sexual function, painful urination and recurrent urinary tract infections

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HYPERTHERMIA THERAPY?

When focused heating is used to raise the temperature of tumor tissue, it generates several physiological advantages to treating the malignant tumor:

Reduced tumor growth and invasion

Heat damages or weakens the proteins and structures within cells of the tumor, slowing the growth and spread of the tumor.

Chemo-sensitization & targeted drug uptake

Heat increases blood flow through the weakened tumor allowing targeted uptake of chemotherapy, thereby amplifying the anti-cancer effects on the tumor while protecting healthy tissue.

Radio-sensitization & apoptosis induction

The tumor environment is pathologically hypoxic (has low oxygen levels) which contributes to resistance to radiation therapy. Heating raises oxygen levels in tumors (via increased blood flow) so the cancer can be more effectively treated by radiation therapy, stimulating apoptosis (cancer cell death) and tumor necrosis (destruction).

Enhanced anti-angiogenesis

LRHT has been shown to enhance the effect of anti-angiogenic drugs (agents used to inhibit tumor blood vessel formation) commonly used in metastatic disease (e.g. bevacizumab).

Immune induction

The body senses fever and can stimulate the immune system (via increased expression and release of heat shock proteins), activating and employing the body’s natural innate immune mechanisms, thereby assisting the anti-tumor response.

Activation of tumor suppressor genes

LRHT has been demonstrated to activate p53 – a tumor suppressor gene that is silenced in most cancers. It codes for a critical molecule that is responsible for inducing cancer cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as well as DNA repair of abnormal cells.
In addition, LRHT has application in the post-surgical setting to treat potential rogue cells liberated via biopsy or surgery.

ARE THERE ANY ADVERSE SIDE-EFFECTS TO LOCAL-REGIONAL HYPERTHERMIA?

Clinical trials have demonstrated that LRHT presents minimal risk and limited adverse side effects. Heating the tumor has minimal effect on adjacent healthy tissue. Healthy tissue has the ability to dissipate the heat efficiently while cancerous tissue is incapable of this due to its more primitive blood supply and dense unorganized cellular makeup. Surface effects are generally limited to slight reddening of the skin. Patients are monitored regularly by our physicians and nurses throughout the duration of treatment to monitor for discomfort.

WHICH CANCERS CAN BE TREATED THROUGH LOCAL-REGIONAL HYPERTHERMIA?

LRHT is a treatment for solid tumor cancers, with indications for both primary and metastatic malignancies, as demonstrated by phase II & III clinical trials. Need more clinical and scientific references? Click here.

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I HAVE A CERTAIN TYPE OF CANCER, CAN HYPERTHERMIA OR OTHER CANCER INTEGRATIVE CANCER THERAPIES HELP?

Hyperthermia is used as part of a coordinated, focused and comprehensive integrative cancer approach at Port Moody Health. To be able to advise integrative cancer therapy, one of our physicians will need to carry out an evaluation of your cancer type, stage, and location.

By incorporating various modalities, we optimize treatment outcomes for our patients. We are one of the only clinics worldwide to offer both the Celsius42 and Oncotherm local-regional hyperthermia, in addition to other advanced therapies such as photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy. Our cancer care is tailored to your specific needs and desired outcomes. Because cancer doesn’t work in just one way – neither do we.

For more information on hyperthermia and other integrative cancer therapies offered at our clinic, please speak to our cancer care coordinators at (604) 949-0077.