Technical and Clinical Evaluation of the ALBA-4D 70MHz Loco-Regional Hyperthermia System

Abstract

Hyperthermia, increasing tumor temperatures to 39-43°C for 1 h, enhances the effectiveness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Deep seated pelvic tumors are usually heated by arrays of radiofrequency or microwave antennas placed around the patient, capable of focussing power onto the tumor. The AMC developed the AMC 4 loco-regional hyperthermia system with 4 rectangular 70 MHz waveguide antennas for heating deep-seated pelvic tumors. This system has been commercialized as the ALBA4D utilizing the same geometric layout and the same waveguides. Goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the ALBA4D system. We compared electric field (E-field) distributions in a patient-mimicking phantom and confirmed that phase control of the focal point is similar to the AMC 4, thus ensuring similar clinical performance.