Local hyperthermia (LH)

Local hyperthermia (LH) is used to selectively kill cancer cells. Also known as heat therapy, local hyperthermia can also be applied specifically to the area of the tumor. It is an approach in which heat is only initiated in the tumor cell and leaves a healthy cell unaffected.

Cancer cells begin to die at 38.8° C (101.8° F) and destroyed at 42° C (107.6° F). Local hyperthermia is exceptionally safe because it increases the temperature of cancer cells within the tumor to 42° C (107.6° F) without increasing the temperature of adjacent normal cells or in the rest of the body.

The mechanism of local hyperthermia

Cancer cells have an abnormal metabolism. Normal cells found throughout the body produce carbon dioxide as a waste product. In contrast, malignant cells produce lactic acid. When the cancer cells within a tumor are heated to 42° C (107.6° F), the production of lactic acid increases rapidly and the cells become highly acidic (pH goes down).

As metabolism speeds up within the tumor cells, they essentially self-destruct and drown in the lactic acid they produce. Healthy tissue surrounding the cancer cells are unaffected by the localized heat used in the treatment.

Safety and effectiveness

Local hyperthermia is a highly effective means of destroying cancer cells without causing toxicity, particularly when used in conjunction with other immune supportive therapies such as vitamin C infusions, thymus peptides and mistletoe extract.

In addition, most patients are provided with dendritic cell vaccinations since the heating process makes cancer cells more vulnerable for destruction by the immune system. The efficacy of dendritic cell vaccinations is enhanced by simple injection them during or right after a fever period.The electro-hyperthermia equipment used in this protocol was developed by the German company Celsius 42+.