An apparatus for providing hyperthermia treatment for enhancing cancer therapy
includes an applicator body and a plurality of antennas operatively associated
with the applicator body. The applicator body has a concave profile extending from
an aperture and defines an open cavity for receiving RF standing waves. The antennas
are arrayed for transmitting RF standing waves at respective selected amplitudes
and relative phases into the cavity and generally toward a tumor-containing tissue
disposed in operative alignment with the antennas. In use, the tissue such as a
breast or chest wall is immersed in the cavity or supported on a pillow mounted
to the cavity. The cavity contains a fluid such as deionized water through which
the RF energy is transmitted to heat the tissue. The hyperthermia treatment can
be used to enhance the effects of a cancer-related therapy such as radiotherapy
or chemotherapy.
