Health News of the Week – Heat and Cancer

Cancer cells do not like heat. What form of heat and how the heat reaches cancer cells is constantly being researched. A treatment called Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) has been successful in killing cancer cells in areas of the body accessible to thin needle probes that once inserted generate heat-producing radio waves directly into the tumor. Studies in Italy have found this effective for lung cancer treatment. While this form of heat production does not cause uncomfortable side effects, it is not possible to use on deep tumors.
Last week The Los Angeles Times reported a new cancer treatment also employing radio waves for heat generation, but with a technique that allows for access to tumors deep in the body. “Sending His Cancer a Signal” spotlights John Kanzius, a cancer patient who has developed this prototypical treatment. The preliminary research about the treatment will be published in the December issue of the medical journal, Cancer. Some cancer treatment aficionados may be reminded of the Rife frequency technology, but Kanzius’s prototype is different. Radio waves are used to heat ingested minute carbon particles called nanotubes. The heated particles then kill cancer cells. The treatment is still in the development stages as the research to date has shown that some healthy tissue can be damaged in the process, as is the case with currently used radiation and chemotherapy treatments. But researchers are hopeful that they will perfect the accuracy of the ingested nanotubes to only reach cancer cells. If this is accomplished, the treatment has the potential to kill cancer cells without causing side effects and damage to the body.
Keep your eyes open for more information about this innovative treatment. For more information read the Los Angeles Times article at: www.latimes.com/news/science/la-na-cancer2nov02,1,5233765.story?track=rss