Thermal dosimetry and clinical requirements.

Major problems in clinical hyperthermia include (a) inhomogeneity of heat distribution in designated tumor volumes due to tissue characteristics and differential blood flow, (b) limitations of heat delivery and control systems for adequate depth penetration and adjustments of temperatures, and (c) the lack of capability of accurate temperature measurements, especially in the area of noninvasive techniques for deep-seated tumors. Examples were given to illustrate the clinical requirements of hyperthermia of superficial, intermediate, and deep-seated tumors.