What is hyperthermia (for cancer treatment)?
Hyperthermia (for cancer treatment), which solely eliminates cancer cells, is a non-invasive treatment method.

It had long been suggested that cancer cells are sensitive to heat. Physicians and researchers around the world reported tumor regression in cancer patients who developed fever due to other disorders.

The key was how to apply heat only to cancer cells. A tumor was identified deep in the bodies of patients in some cases, and there were a number of tumors in multiple areas of the body in other cases. Heating only the surface of the body was not expected to generate significant effects. In fact, it was virtually ineffective for tumors located deep in the body, such as pulmonary, liver, and bladder cancer.

In this context, Radio-frequency dielectric heating became a focus of attention. Whereas infrared and ultraviolet rays are only able to heat the surface of the body, Radio-frequency waves reach cancer tissues located deep in the body. The results of studies suggested that radio waves of 8 MHz are the most appropriate. Therefore, we have adopted Radio-frequency waves of 8 MHz for our hyperthermia device "THERMOTRON-RF8 EX Edition".

In 1984, after many years of research and development, Yamamoto Vinita put Radio-frequency hyperthermia equipment into practical use earlier than any other company in the world, specifically the "THERMOTRON-RF8 EX Edition", and received the approval of the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the production of medical equipment.

THERMOTRON-RF8 is a hyperthermia device using high frequencies of 8 MHz for the treatment of cancer. The device sends Radio-frequency waves of 8 MHz to cancer lesions sandwiched between a pair of opposed electrodes to heat them accurately to 42 to 44°C using a computer-controlled system.

Only 30 to 60 minutes is required for treatment. The device solely heats cancer lesions selectively to prevent patients from feeling a sense of burden. They can receive treatment while watching TV, listening to music, or talking with their family in a relaxed manner without feeling burdened psychologically. The physical burden experienced by patients is much less, compared to excision, and the treatment has few adverse effects.

Cancer hyperthermia combined with surgery, anticancer drugs, immunotherapy, and other treatment methods, which is designed to provide higher therapeutic effects by combining the advantages of each therapy, has become increasingly prevalent.