A Historical Perspective on Hyperthermia in Oncology

“Cancer” today means a “malignant growing tumor” which nearly always threatens life if it has reached its advanced form, but may be“curable” if detected in any early stage of development. One special section of medicine called“oncology” deals with these malignant diseases. Despite extensive research in the past, the etiology, possible preventive measures, and the diagnostic assessment are still incompletely understood; similarly, the therapeutic management of cancer is still not too well established in our present health care system. By the public, cancer is mostly perceived as a fatal disease which is often associated with pain or other dreadful symptoms, malnutrition, severe individual discomfort, and many psychosocial problems.