Tumour response and dissemination following hyperthermia

• Main Author: Walker, Agnes
• Published: University of Glasgow 1982
• Subjects: 610; QR Microbiology
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.291219

The following thesis describes an investigation into the use of hyperthermia as a remedial procedure using a new technique for treating animal tumours (Walker, 1980). A brief historical review of the use of hyperthermia treatment is presented in Chapter 1. Current methods of treating local and metastatic disease are discussed, and the advantages (and problems) of using hyperthermia for the treatment of tumours which are resistant to chemo- and radiotherapy are outlined. Chapter 2 describes the biological properties of the C₃H mouse mammary carcinoma and presents reasons for the choice of this tumour system in this present research. The normal growth pattern is then presented. At early stages growth was measured indirectly by means of a dilution assay and directly by measurement after the tumour became palpable. In Chapter 3 the development and application of a new technique for administering hyperthermia treatment to animal tumours is described. The following chapter shows how treatment alters the normal growth rate. Regression, recurrence and cure are compared after treatment either with hyperthermia or with X-rays. After similar levels of treatment tumours were found to recur in a significantly shorter time after hyperthermia than after irradiation (Walker et al 1982). Possible reasons for this are discussed. Chapter 5 considers theories relating to metastasis and compares metastatic rates after hyperthermia, X-rays (Walker et al 1978) and surgery. The evidence suggests that inadequate treatment using hyperthermia may inadvertently promote metastasis.