[State of the art and prospects on the use of radiofrequency and microwave hyperthermia in cancer treatment (author's transl)].

The use of microwave hyperthermia for cancer treatment is dealt with, first analyzing the present state of the art, second from a prospective viewpoint. Follow current topics are considered: a) biological data from experiments in vitro and of animals; b) fundamental therapeutic modalities: total body hyperthermia, local hyperthermia; c) technological problems: irradiation frequency, applicators, dosimetry (non-interfering probes, microwave radiometers); d) results of preliminary clinical investigations. Prospects refer to following topics: a) technological: improvement or design of systems for producing and controlling hyperthermia; b) fundamental: models, phantoms and postoperative specimens; dielectric and thermal properties on tissues; part of the vascularization; c) clinical: treatment procedures, long-term therapeutic trials (exclusive or combined hyperthermia, cancerous and healthy tissues).