Hyperthermia Therapy (RF-8)
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Cancer's Weakness
Cancer tissue has been shown to be more vulnerable to heat than normal tissue.
Normal tissue dissipates heat through increased blood flow, so its temperature does not rise easily and it is not destroyed.
Cancer tissue, with no corresponding increase in blood flow, cannot dissipate heat — its temperature rises and the tissue moves toward destruction.

The tumor lesion is sandwiched between two electrode plates placed on the body surface. The high-frequency waves emitted cause biological molecules to rotate 8 million times per second; friction from this motion generates heat. This results in uniform heating from the body surface to the deep tissues.
Few side effects, with immune activation as an added benefit
1. Improved cure rate
Effective regardless of cancer type, including cancers resistant to chemotherapy or radiation. Heating also enhances immune activity as described below, mounting an effective attack against cancer.
| 39℃ |
Host immune activation effects (dendritic cells, NK cells, interferon-γ), enhanced drug uptake, endorphin activity
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Immune activation through heating (mounting an effective attack against cancer cells) |
| 40℃ |
| 41℃ |
| Above 42°C |
Direct necrotic effect on cancer tissue |
2. Improved QOL (quality of life)
It relieves cancer-related pain, restores physical strength, improves appetite, and lifts mood — aiming to improve QOL.
3. No side effects or accumulation, so in principle it can be repeated indefinitely
Heating up to 43°C is within the physiological range for normal tissue and poses no problem. Rarely, it may cause fatty induration, but this resolves after a short time and is not a concern.
Because of side effects on normal cells, radiation and chemotherapy cannot be used beyond certain limits. Hyperthermia has no such restrictions and can be performed over the long term.
4. Broad scope of application
Applicable not only to early-stage cancer but also to recurrent and metastatic cancers.
Treatment can be applied regardless of cancer type or site.
Metal stents (vascular, biliary, ureteral, gastrointestinal) do not pose a problem for treatment.
If there is metal in the body (such as bolts from a fracture), please notify us in advance.
The brain, eyes, and areas around cardiac pacemakers are excluded from treatment.
1. Combination with Surgery
Pre-surgery, it suppresses cancer growth and boosts immune function. Post-surgery, it has been reported to be effective in suppressing recurrence.
2. Combination with Chemotherapy
Synergistic effects have been recognized with commonly used anticancer drugs.
When heating increases blood flow around the tumor, anticancer drugs are delivered efficiently via the bloodstream to the tumor lesion; uptake increases several-fold and efficacy improves. This also offers the benefit of reducing the drug dose and minimizing side effects.
Long-term use of anticancer drugs can lead to drug resistance, rendering them ineffective. Hyperthermia is known to induce production of a special protein called Heat Shock Protein (HSP) in the body, which partially inhibits the mechanism of resistance acquisition.
3. Combination with Radiation
As cancer grows, blood flow within the tumor decreases and the tissue becomes acidic due to low nutrition and low oxygen. Such large cancers are typically less responsive to radiation. However, hyperthermia works well against hypoxic, low-nutrient cancers, and combining the two produces a sensitization effect.
4. Combination with Cancer Immunotherapy
Combination with Activated Lymphocyte Therapy, Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy, Dendritic Cell Injection Therapy, Cancer Vaccine Therapy, and similar approaches enhances the effects of standard treatments and helps improve the patient's condition.
Risks & Side Effects
The Thermotron RF-8 is a treatment device approved for insurance coverage as a high-frequency hyperthermia system for cancer. With many cases, both safety and efficacy have been recognized.
During heating, the skin may feel stinging or warm. Rarely, subcutaneous fat may develop nodules (fatty induration), but these disappear in 1–2 weeks.
Sweating during heating may cause mild dehydration, which resolves with fluid replenishment after treatment.
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