A case of recurrent carcinoma of the maxillary sinus treated by radiofrequency interstitial hyperthermia with embolization in an elderly patient

Abstract

An elderly patient with recurrent carcinoma of the maxillary sinus, extending to the infraorbital region was treated by radiofrequency (RF) interstitial hyperthermia using needle-type applicators, combined with Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). TAE in the maxillary arterial region was performed with a stainless steel coil (non-degradable material). Multiple (6-8) needle-type applicators, made of stainless steel coated with gold, were inserted into the tumor in parallel at intervals of about 10mm.
Each other interstial hyperthermia with ⁶⁰Co external irradiation (2 Gy/day total 20Gy) was repeated ten times.
The size of the tumor decreased markedly, and oral feeding disorders present before treatment resolved almost completely. Our results suggest that RF interstitial hyperthermia using needle-type applicators with embolization is effective in the treatment of selected cases of oral cancer.