Response of blood flow to hyperthermia in human prostate tumors: Opportunities for enhanced radiation effect and drug delivery.

189 Background: Tissue perfusion may be a significant factor affecting outcome of prostate cancer treatment. Hyperthermia has been shown to have beneficial anti-cancer effects when combined with other anti-neoplastic modalities including radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. For instance, hyperthermia may increase prostate perfusion resulting in radiosensitization through increased oxygenation and chemotherapy through enhanced drug delivery. We previously reported significant benefit to the addition of hyperthermia to radiation on a phase II trial for men with locally advanced prostate cancer. To better understand tissue perfusion in patients with prostate cancer and response to hyperthermia, we measured perfusion levels in patients on this trial before and after hyperthermia. Methods: Prostate perfusion was measured before and immediately after heating in a total of 21 hyperthermia treatments in 14 patients with prostate cancer. A trans-rectal ultrasound device with a water cooled jacket was used t...