ABSTRACT
The most popular medical applications are in short-wave and microwave diathermy, where electromagnetically induced heat is used for treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. In both diathermy and hyperthermia in cancer therapy, a part of the patient’s body is exposed to high intensity radiofrequency (RF) radiation. The deposition of RF energy results in a substantial increase of the temperature of the treated tissue. The applicator, also called the electrode, delivers the electromagnetic energy to the prescribed tissue of the patient. The intensity of the stray field depends on the frequency of operation of the device and the design of the applicator. A large number of various experiments on animals have been performed in order to evaluate potential hazards of exposure to nonionizing electromagnetic radiation. The major physiologic manifestations of heat stress are effects on the neurally activated behavioral and autonomic motor, and neuroendocrine systems, as well as morphology.
