The effect of total body microwave hyperthermia and hepatic artery ligation on liver tumors—an experimental study in rats

The effect of general microwave hyperthermia and hepatic artery ligation (HAL) was tested on Wistar rats with a transplanted N‐methyl‐N‐nitroso‐guanidine‐induced adenocarcinoma in the liver. Total body hyperthermia (41.5°C for 1 hour, three times during 24 hours) was given on the same day as HAL, and 1, 2, and 3 days after. HAL induced a slower tumor growth than untreated controls. No additive effect was registered when total body microwave hyperthermia was added to HAL. When hyperthermia was added 2 days after HAL, there was a transient decrease in tumor volume as in the HAL series. Total body microwave hyperthermia added 3 days after HAL induced a faster tumor growth than after HAL alone. When hyperthermia was added the same day and 1 day after HAL, there was a 50% mortality.