Differences between Hyperthermia and Oncotermia. Oncothermia is based on the method of hyperthermia, often used for cancer treatments. However, it differs from conventional hyperthermia. In addition to producing an absolute increase in the temperature of the deep tissue layers, Oncothermia combines the action of a modulated electric field. It also uses a carrier frequency of 13.56MHz, which is generated by two active electrodes. This electric field allows an absorption of energy into the extracellular fluid (ECM), and the unbalancing and de-structuring of the cancer cell membrane. In this way, significant therapeutic effects are achieved at only 38ºC.
The following illustration shows schematically the Oncothermia treatment.
It can be seen how the electric field produced by the two electrodes passes through the patient through the areas of lower impedance (higher conductivity). In this way, only the tumour tissue absorbs the heat.
Microbiological studies have shown that cancerous tissues have a higher conductivity than healthy tissues. This is due to metabolic differences. This is why the electric field tends to flow preferentially in malignant tumour tissue, selecting the cells to be treated.
Cell apoptosis
The natural activity of malignant cells is inhibited and they die by apoptosis. This is a natural process of cell death induced by the immune system without overloading the body with toxins. Unlike necrosis, pathological cell death, which occurs in conventional hyperthermia
