Evaluation of CEM43°CT90 thermal dose in superficial hyperthermia: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Prospective use of the CEM43°CT90 thermal dose parameter has been proposed for hyperthermia treatments. This study evaluates the CEM43°CT90 parameter by means of a retrospective analysis of recurrent breast cancer patients receiving reirradiation plus hyperthermia. Material and Methods: CEM43°CT90 was calculated for 72 patients who received 8 × 4 Gy reirradiation plus 8 × 1 h hyperthermia for adenocarcinoma recurrences at the chest wall. Associations of prognostic factors CEM43°CT90 and tumor maximum diameter with endpoints complete response (CR), duration of local control (DLC), and overall survival (OS) were determined. Results: A highly significant inverse association between CEM43°CT90 and tumor maximum diameter (ρ = -0.7, p < 1e-6) was found. The association between CR and CEM43°CT90 was not significant (p ≥ 0.7). CEM43°CT90 was associated with DLC. Both CEM43°CT90 and tumor maximum diameter had a significant association with survival (p > 0.01). The association with thermal dose, when adjusted for tumor maximum diameter, was not significant for either CR, DLC, or OS (p > 0.2). Conclusion: In this retrospective study, no clear CEM43°CT90 thermal dose targets or associations with clinical endpoints could be established. © 2010 Urban & Vogel, Muenchen.