What is Hyperthermia?

Scientific research has shown a whole range of possible effects: vasodilation, increase of vascular perfusion, stimulation and acceleration of cellular metabolism, direct and selective damage to tumor tissue (mainly in local hyperthermia), blocking the repair mechanisms of DNA damaged by radio- or chemotherapy, stimulating the response immune system of the organism, strengthening hematopoiesis and production of neutrophils, increasing the adhesiveness of leukocytes, which effects increase the effectiveness of treatment by about a few to several dozen percent.

Among the different types of hyperthermia, the systemic hyperthermia implies an increase in temperature throughout the body and is a physical procedure aimed at obtaining effects similar to natural fever. In addition to the term „systemic”, the term „whole-body hyperthermia” is also very oft in use.

Depending on the target temperature, there are three main types of whole-body hyperthermia:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Extreme

The table below lists the most important features and determinants of these three types of whole-body hyperthermia

More detailed information, including indications, contraindications and therapy procedures are included in the full text of Guidelines for Whole-Body Hyperthermia, and a selection of specific publications and professional literature on whole-body hyperthermia can be found in our section LITERATURE