Radiothermotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme: A preliminary study

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly radioresistant cancer with low survival rate. Current therapy approaches have failed to treat GBM. The aim of this study was to assess how GBM tumors respond to combination of hyperthermia and radiotherapy. Materials and Methods:   In this study, 38 GBM patients were included. 19 patients were treated with 60 Gy radiations in 30 fractions and 19 patients received 60 Gy radiation and 10-12 hyperthermia seasons. Hyperthermia was done using 13.56 MHz radiofrequency radiation, with capacity electrodes. All hyperthermia regimens were delivered one hour before radiotherapy. For all patients, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) and tumor volumes were assessed before and 3 months after treatment. Results: Our results showed that KPS was improved in hyperthermia group rather than radiotherapy group. In regard to tumor volume changes, 2 and 3 patients had more than 50% and 20-50% decrease in tumor volume post radiotherapy respectively and 7 patients had no change. Also, 2 and 5 radiotherapy patients had more than 50% and 20-50% increase in tumor volume respectively. In hyperthermia groups 8 and 4 patients had more than 50% and 20-50% decrease in tumor volume respectively and 5 patients had no changes. In addition, 2 patients had 20-50% increase in tumor volume. Conclusion: Our results identified that combination of hyperthermia and radiation is a feasible approach to treat GBM patients and patients quality of life.