ABSTRACT
The elevation of tissue temperature upon heating is determined by the degree of heat dissipation through blood flow and thermal conduction to adjacent tissues as well as “endogenous heat” generated by the metabolic response to heating. The earliest conception of blood flow in tumors was based on morphological examination of neoplastic tissue and a general belief that tumors demand a high supply of nutrients to proliferate. The coarse, twisted, branched, irregularly constricted, dilated, and elongated tumor capillaries offer a greater resistance to the flow of blood. The experiments are in progress in several laboratories to selectively reduce tumor blood flow and/or increase normal tissue blood flow during hyperthermia. The kinetics and magnitude of changes in blood flow by heating are dependent on temperature applied. This goal may be achieved when have a clear insight into the kinetics, metabolism, environment, and structure of animal and human neoplasms.
