• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.115-128
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• 1986

Hyperthermia can enhance the radiation effect as a synergistic reaction in combined X-ray irradiation and hyperthermia; hyperthermia sensitize radioresistant S-phase cells and inhibit cellular recovery from sublethal damage. We fabricated 100 watts, 2450 MHz microwave applicator for hyperthermia and planned the method and condition of heating and measured the temperature by using Agar phantom as a preliminary test. For biological examination, 102 rats were divided into 4 groups as hyperthermia, X-ray irradiation (6Gy-15Gy), combined X-ray and hyperthermia, and normal control groups. Microscopic examination of the rectum and bladder was done and the results were as followings: 1. The microwave generator with 100 watts, 2450MHz magnetron could be heating up to $40^{\circ}{\sim}50^{\circ}C$ for one hour in living tissue. 2. The thermal distribution in tissue equivalent phantom with microwave can be maintained at $40^{\circ}{\sim}44^{\circ}C$ in area of 3cm in depth and 2-10cm in diameter. 3. In Hyperthermia alone group, there was submucosal edema of the rectum but no histologic change in the urinary bladder was seen. 4. The minimal necrosis of the mucosa was appeared in the rectum and bladder after 15 days of 6 Gy and 8 Gy irradiation respectively. The minimal necrosis of the muscle layer of rectum and bladder was appeared after 15 days of 8Gy and 60days of 10Gy irradiation respectively. 5. In combined group of radiation and hyperthermia, thermal enhancement ratio (calculated at necrosis of mucosa and muscle layer) of rectum and bladder was 1.0, and it suggest that there is no change of tolerance dose of normal rectum and bladder.