• Hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 113°F) to damage and kill cancer cells.
• Hyperthermia is almost always used with other forms of cancer therapy, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
• Several methods of hyperthermia are currently under study, including local, regional, and whole-body hyperthermia.
• Many clinical trials (research studies) are being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia is almost always used with other forms of cancer therapy, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.Hyperthermia may make some cancer cells more sensitive to radiation or harm other cancer cells that radiation cannot damage. When hyperthermia and radiation therapy are combined, they are often given within an hour of each other. Hyperthermia can also enhance the effects of certain anticancer drugs.
Several methods of hyperthermia are currently under study, including local, regional, and whole-body hyperthermia.

In local hyperthermia, heat is applied to a small area, such as a tumor, using various techniques that deliver energy to heat the tumor.
In regional hyperthermia, various approaches may be used to heat large areas of tissue, such as a body cavity, organ, or limb.
Whole-body hyperthermia is used to treat metastatic cancer that has spread throughout the body. This can be accomplished by several techniques that raise the body temperature to 107–108°F, including the use of thermal chambers (similar to large incubators) or hot water blankets.