Question

My mother has rectal cancer at Duke Stage D. After the first chemo, her doctor suggested she undergo heat treatment. I am very concerned about the side effects and the risk of her dying during this treatment.

She's 72. She doesn't have any other major illnesses other than a thyroid problem and a broken hip. Can you tell me about the risk and side effects of heat treatment?
 

Answer

Stage Duke D means a colorectal tumor which has spread beyond the confines of the lymph nodes to organs such as the liver, lung or bone. Therefore, we advise you to discuss your mother's condition, treatment and prognosis with her treating doctor, so you understand completely what is happening and the expectations. Fewer than 5% of patients with a Duke D tumor live more than 5 years.
 

Heat treatment is called hyperthermia. The term hyperthermia refers to raising the temperature of a part of the body above normal for a defined period of time. For most clinical applications in this program, the amount of temperature elevation is on the order of a few degrees above normal temperature (98.6F). Temperatures used are usually are in the range of 103-108F, which is well below the threshold for burning tissue.
 

Typically hyperthermia is given together with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both. Patients will often feel quite warm during the treatment, sometimes uncomfortably so. They frequently perspire heavily. At the conclusion of treatment, tissues rapidly return to a normal temperature.
 

Side effects of treatment are generally minor. The most significant side effect is an actual thermal burn which may be first, second or third degree. This has been reported in up to 5% of patients; it is typically on the skin or just under the skin, and involves only a small area, usually an inch or less in diameter.
 

The links below may be helpful.

Related Links
Duke Cancer Center: Hyperthermia
Oncology Channel: Rectal Cancer
BethIsrael et al: Colorectal Cancer