The presented work focused on the contribution of hyperthermia to preoperative treatment in locally advanced rectal carcinoma
The hospital center has an Oncological Hyperthermia Unit that has treated more than 100 patients since its launch in 2020
Dr. Laura Ferrera Alayón, a specialist in Radiation Oncology at the University Hospital of Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín, affiliated with the Ministry of Health of the Canary Islands Government, has received the award for best researcher at the European Society of Hyperthermia congress. The awarded professional is part of the Oncological Hyperthermia Unit of the hospital's service, a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and technicians that has been active since March 2020, with over 100 patients treated since its establishment.
The presented work focused on the contribution of hyperthermia to preoperative treatment in locally advanced rectal carcinoma. Its administration in combination with radiotherapy enhances the effect of the latter, increasing the likelihood that tumors can be successfully removed surgically.
Hyperthermia involves the localized heating of the tumor to high temperatures (41º-43º) that are incompatible with the normal functioning of tumor cells. This reduces the tumor's ability to resist oncological treatments, making them more sensitive to radiation and improving the penetration of drugs into the tumor. It also promotes the activation of the patient's immune defense system. This leads to improved outcomes in curative treatments for localized tumors in the rectum, bladder, and sarcomas. The use of hyperthermia combined with other oncological therapies such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy improves treatment results for cancer patients.
Unique Nationally
The Doctor Negrín Hospital, part of the Spanish Hyperthermia Group and one of the Spanish centers with the most experience in this field, applies hyperthermia to treat pelvic tumors, especially in patients with rectal cancer undergoing preoperative treatment. It is worth noting that the hospital has a state-of-the-art deep hyperthermia device (ALBA 4D), unique nationwide, designed to offer patients the highest standards of quality and precision.
Precise Control
This advanced system allows real-time thermometry with 64 temperature sensors, strategically positioned according to the anatomy and exact location of the tumor, ensuring precise control during each session. This level of precision optimizes treatment effectiveness, significantly improving patient tolerance and positioning the Doctor Negrín Hospital as a reference in advanced oncological hyperthermia techniques in Spain.
This treatment is applied twice a week in one-hour sessions, always in combination with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The transient heating of the tumor with this technique does not add any toxicity. This therapy is also indicated in situations where tumor pathology is difficult to control and full doses of oncological treatments cannot be administered, such as relapses after previous treatments or in patients with comorbidities who cannot tolerate standard treatments.