How Do We Treat Breast Cancer?

Approximately 1 out of every 9 women in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime. Thanks to advancements in medicine and an increase in breast cancer awareness, the number of deaths resulting from breast cancer has been steadily declining over time. Here is what HCI's use of hyperthermia for breast cancer treatment in Los Angeles does to help:

  • Target the tumor
  • Leave surrounding fragile healthy tissues including heart, lungs, lymph nodes and any other affected organ untouched
  • Improve the effectiveness of radiation and/or systemic therapy

About Breast Cancer

Early-stage breast cancer that has a small tumor confined to the breast is often curable. Sometimes breast cancer is detected at a later stage when the cancer has spread within the breast to lymph nodes or distant organs. In these situations, the cure rate is lower, especially if the cancer has spread to distant organs. Common therapies for breast cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy. Whether some, or all of these therapies apply to you, the appropriate sequence of these therapies depends upon the specifics of your individual clinical needs.

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We Treat All Stages and Types of Breast Cancer

  • Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
  • Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)
  • Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
  • Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
  • Inflammatory breast cancer
  • Early-stage breast cancer
  • Locally advanced breast cancer
  • Metastatic breast cancer
  • Recurrent breast cancer
  • ER+ or ER-
  • PR+ or PR-
  • HER2+ or HER2-
  • Triple negative (ER-, PR-, HER2-)

How Does Hyperthermia Therapy Work?

Research shows that non-invasive heat therapy hyperthermia delivers effective results in patients with breast cancer. The addition of hyperthermia improves the likelihood of a complete response in breast cancer versus radiation therapy alone. Heat-based hyperthermia therapy can have a significant  effect on cancer cells. Heat disrupts cell membranes and increases blood flow to the tumor, making the tumor more sensitive and vulnerable both to your body’s natural immune defenses and to other cancer therapies. 

Is Hyperthermia Safe For Surrounding Tissue?

Most patients can expect to tolerate hyperthermia therapy well. Those few who experience side effects find them to be mild. Hyperthermia has no known adverse effects on healthy tissue; this means that hyperthermia can maximize the effectiveness of your therapeutic regimen without risking sensitive surrounding organs. 

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What are the Benefits of Hyperthermia Therapy?

  • Increases blood flow to tumors creating a high-oxygen environment, which makes radiation therapy work better
  • Allows for chemotherapy to penetrate deeper into the center of the tumor than otherwise possible
  • Can stimulate an immune response reaction within the tumor improving your body’s ability to fight cancer

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Breast Cancer

The addition of hyperthermia improves the likelihood of a complete response to breast cancer treatment more than radiation therapy alone.

Radiation Therapy Alone
Radiation Therapy + Hyperthermia
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Breast Cancer Treatment Statistics

Breast Vernon CC et al. and van der Zee et al., Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys. 1996; 35(4) 731-744 Head & Neck Valdagni et al., Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys. 1994; 28: 163-169 Melanoma Overgaard J et al., Int. J. Hyperthermia 1996; 12(1): 3-20 Cervical van der Zee et al. Int. J. Hyperthermia 2002; 18(1): 1-12

Hyperthermia Is A Clinically Proven Powerful Treatment Option

Ongoing research shows hyperthermia delivers effective results when combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Hyperthermia therapy can be added to your plan for breast cancer treatment in Los Angeles at any time. We find it optimal to initiate treatment with hyperthermia as soon as the patient begins receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Strengthening your therapeutic regimen leads to the best outcome. For all patients, the aim is to select the therapies that lead to the best outcome with the fewest side effects.

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