Loco-regional deep tissue hyperthermia is employed in cases of confined tumour growth. External applicators are positioned around or near the appropriate region, and radio waves of a distinct frequency are focused on the tumour. This technique takes advantage of the fact that the properties of cancer and healthy cells vary in some aspects. Therefore, they react differently to radio waves: whereas healthy cells are not affected by these frequencies, the membranes of tumour cells are forced into an oscillation that heats them and destroys their cell walls- the cancer cells perish. To prevent cell death, tumour cells generate heat shock proteins (HSP). HSP enable the immune system to identify tumour cells (that are usually invisible to the immune system), thus facilitating the immune response against cancer. The efficacy of conventional radio- and chemotherapy is enhanced by hyperthermia owing to increased blood flow and cell division in the tumour tissue induced by the rise in temperature.

Transurethral hyperthermia is a special form of loco-regional hyperthermia. It is applied in prostate cancer if the tumour has not infiltrated the capsule. A catheter is temporarily placed in the urethra and the electrode is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the prostate. This way, a minimal dose of radiation causes maximum effect.

Moderate whole body hyperthermia increases body temperature to between 38,5 and 40,5°C by application of infrared radiation. This corresponds with the natural fever reaction that activates the immune system. The patients comfortably rest on a bed in a thermal chamber. They receive comprehensive care with monitoring of their vital parameters (temperature, heart rate, oxygen level etc.), throughout the treatment.

Moderate whole body hyperthermia is a systemic immunotherapy that stimulates the immune system and alleviates the side effects of conventional radio- und chemotherapy.