Stereotactic hyperthermia for brain tumors.

We have developed a localized hyperthermia system using computed tomography-stereotactic surgery as malignant brain tumor therapy. In an experimental study, the temperature in the area of the cat brain within 20 mm from a radiofrequency electrode reached more than 43.7 degrees C. Intravenous administration of MCNU during hyperthermia caused a significant increase of MCNU content in the heated brain as compared with a control brain. In the clinical study, localized radiofrequent hyperthermia using stereotactic surgery was performed on 7 malignant deep-seated gliomas and 21 metastatic brain tumors. Especially, combination therapy of stereotactic hyperthermia and chemotherapy was effective treatment for gliomas less than 30 mm deep in the brain.