Two cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma that achieved complete response through interstitial hyperthermia after the patients refused surgery

Hyperthermia may be effective for cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) or lymph node metastasis that cannot be otherwise treated. In our hospital, we perform hyperthermia by microwave interstitial heating. The cases of two patients with lymph node metastasis following surgery for OSCC in whom complete response was achieved with this method are presented. Case 1 was a 55-year-old man with right tongue carcinoma (T2N2cM0) who had undergone preoperative chemotherapy followed by radical surgery. Metastasis was subsequently identified in a right lingual lymph node, and surgery was planned, but since the patient did not consent, he was instead treated with chemoradiotherapy. However, since he did not respond sufficiently to this treatment, in the absence of any other alternative, two sessions of hyperthermia alone were administered. The results were good, and 10 years after treatment, there has been no further sign of metastasis or recurrence. Case 2 was a 69-year-old woman who had undergone resection of a carcinoma of the oral floor (T2N0M0). Four months later, metastasis was identified in a right cervical lymph node, and neck dissection was planned, but since the patient did not consent, she was instead treated with chemoradiotherapy. However, she did not respond to this treatment, and the metastatic lesion enlarged, so hyperthermia was performed. Her post-treatment course was uneventful, and five years later there has been no sign of recurrence. Hyperthermia may be an effective means of treatment in patients for whom it is indicated.