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. 2011 Apr;20(2):229-35, vii.
doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2010.11.001. Epub 2010 Dec 13.

The ongoing history of thermal therapy for cancer

Evan S Glazer  1 , Steven A Curley
Affiliations

The ongoing history of thermal therapy for cancer

Evan S Glazer et al. Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Through 5,000 years of practice, physicians, surgeons, clergy, or lay people have used thermal therapy to treat mass lesions now known as cancer. The methods have changed dramatically over this time span and certainly the techniques have improved the efficacy and safety. Hyperthermia used in combination with chemotherapy or ionizing radiation continues to improve outcomes. The authors briefly describe the historical role of hyperthermia in cancer care as well as modern expectations based on technological advancements. In particular, the article focuses on the role of hyperthermia for cancers that do not have other, more effective treatments.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fourteen different instruments utilized for cautery as engraved by Jonas Arnold Deliveavit (ca. 1666). Image was acquired from The National Library of Medicine's Images from the History of Medicine collection in the public domain.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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