25 years of Improving Cancer Treatment Outcomes, Why Not Widespread Use of Hyperthermia?

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- /Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine/- Hyperthermia treatments have shown to double response rates of chemotherapy and radiation without side effects, and are an integral part of cancer treatment in Europe, but despite this, it has not gained widespread U.S. use. Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine would like to change that. They are one of few private cancer centers in the U.S. to offer this potentially life saving treatment.

Hyperthermia is an FDA approved therapy. It is covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies. However, in our for-profit U.S. healthcare system, where hyperthermia treatments are time consuming, labor intensive, and with relatively low reimbursement rates, many cancer centers aren't offering this potentially life-saving treatment. Another potential reason for lack of widespread use, is that there are only two small manufacturers of the technology in the U.S. With limited means, these manufacturers haven't been able to compete with the large scale advertising and educational campaigns of big-pharma and the medical device industry.

Clinical trials have proven hyperthermia's tremendous benefit to patients, and in some cases, doubled response rates. In a 2011 study of prostate cancer done at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard, it was found that adding Hyperthermia to a routine radiation therapy treatment plan increased 2 year survival from 64% (RT only) to 84% (RT + Hyperthermia). Similarly, a 2011 study done in Italy tracked patients for 10 years with Bladder cancer that either had chemotherapy alone, or chemotherapy combined with Hyperthermia. After 10 years, disease free survival in the chemotherapy only group was just 15%, and the group that received the combined treatment, disease free survival was 53%. Hyperthermia does not add any significant side effects or toxicity to standard cancer treatment. It is a heat treatment, that when applied directly to the tumor area increases blood flow to the tumor site. By increasing blood flow, more medication and oxygen can reach the tumor, making chemotherapy and radiation more effective. Hyperthermia cancer treatments have shown benefit in breast cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, bladder, cervical, rectal, chest wall and can significantly improve outcomes in previously irradiated tumors, among others.

About Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine
Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine is a state of the art, private cancer center that offers all standard cancer treatments such as IMRT radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and integrates hyperthermia, acupuncture, nutrition and wellness into standard treatment plans. Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine's mission is to help patients beat their cancer and to educate physicians and patients on the life-saving benefits that Hyperthermia can add to their treatment plans.

Contact:
Grace Fisher, Director of Community Outreach
Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine
Phone: 310-432-8929
[email protected]
www.BHThermalMedicine.com

SOURCE Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine