Heat to eliminate the tumor

Microwaves are used to destroy tumors through the heat in a process known as hypothermia. Clinical studies have shown that treatment with conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy in combination with hypothermia long term can double the capacity to cure certain cancers such as cervical cancer and soft tissue sarcoma. "We are currently developing a hypothermia system that can reach new deep tumors in the head and neck with great precision," says Hana Dobsicek Trefna, Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and notes that ‘in this way, higher temperatures can reach the tumor without affecting surrounding tissues’.  

The microwave antennas transmit high performance perfectly synchronized to heat only the tumors. This process is comparable to the creation of a tsunami in the area of ​​the tumor, in which the surrounding sea is calm. Before clinical trials are carried out on patients, the system will be tested on artificial models that simulate perfectly a person. 

Over time, the Chalmers team hopes to be able to combine both methods. As soon as it detects a tumor, connector zed antennas could be used to start treating the tumor directly and simultaneously monitor only the tumor is heated. The method should also be applicable to other body parts such as breasts, head and neck. 

Theranostics-treatment and diagnosis of diseases in a single system, is a research area that is growing, and Chalmers team believes that microwaves have a great potential in this field. This deep microwave technology is already being used in the 'Stroke finder', a helmet that can distinguish between blood clots and bleeding in the brain. The Stroke finder is currently in clinical trials at Sahlgrenska Hospital.