Overview

Hyperthermia is a heat treatment that warms the area of your body where you're having radiotherapy. This makes the radiotherapy more effective.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation (high energy X-rays) to treat cancer. The radiation only damages the cells within the treatment area, killing the cancer cells but allowing healthy cells to recover. Any side effects of radiotherapy are usually isolated to the area being treated.

Hyperthermia with radiotherapy

Hyperthermia warms the area of your body being treated to about 42C to 43C using a machine. The helps because

• the increase in blood flow and oxygen supply makes the radiotherapy more effective
• you might need to have less treatments
•  you might need a lower dose of radiotherapy
• there is less radiotherapy to the surrounding tissues, so you can have radiotherapy treatment again (if necessary) to the same area

Hyperthermia is not routinely offered on the NHS.

Do not confuse hyperthermia with hypothermia.

• Hypothermia is when your body temperature is very low (it can be used as a treatment but is completely different)
• Hyperthermia is when your body temperature is much warmer

Having hyperthermia treatment

The treatment will be very similar to how it is usually done, but the information below is about the extra process for hyperthermia treatment.

You can read our information about the different types of radiotherapy treatments

You’ll be asked to lie on the treatment couch and we’ll give you eye protection to wear. The hyperthermia machine will be positioned towards the area that is being treated. The machine will come close to you but will not touch you. The treatment takes about 1 hour.

Your skin will feel warm, like lying in the sun, but the temperature on the skin will not be more than 43C as the machine is designed to cut off when it reaches this temperature. Immediately after the hyperthermia has been given, you’ll receive your radiotherapy. This will be in a different room.

Side effects of radiotherapy with hyperthermia

It’s important to note that hyperthermia treatment itself causes only a mild skin reaction as it only raises the temperature of the skin to 43C. However, it might make side effects related to the radiotherapy worse, especially those on the skin. Other side effects are related to repeated radiotherapy to the same area.

Possible early side effects include:

• Skin reaction – Your skin might become dry, red and itchy. This might cause the skin to blister and the area to become moist. If this happens, the skin will fully heal after treatment has finished. The skin in the treatment area might get paler or darker and sometimes might stay like this for a long time.
• Tiredness (fatigue) – You might feel tired and have a lack of energy during radiotherapy, but this will slowly settle when treatment is completed. 

The side effects will probably get worse during the 2 weeks after treatment, and then they will start to improve.

Looking after itchy or inflamed skin

Radiotherapy commonly causes inflammation, redness and itching 1 to 2 weeks after treatment begins. This can sometimes affect the entire treatment area. To reduce the chance of this reaction we recommend the following.

Washing

Keep the treatment area clean. Shower or bathe using warm water and your usual soap or shower gel. Aqueous cream can be used as a soap substitute but not as a leave-on moisturiser. Use a soft towel to gently pat your skin dry, and do not rub it.

Moisturising

Moisturising the treatment area will help your skin to cope better. You can continue to use your usual moisturiser. During treatment, apply the moisturiser sparingly 2 times each day, or more often if your skin is very itchy.

Clothing

Wear loose comfortable clothing.