Status of hyperthermic oncology in Europe: Results of an ESHO survey

Abstract

ESHO members were surveyed by questionnaires regarding their activities in clinical and experimental hyperthermic oncology. There were 67 replies from a total of 12 countries and 53 cancer centres. Half of all respondents were involved both in experimental and clinical hyperthermia and more than 70% longer than five years. Most centres treated less than three patients per month and included only few patients in phase III and multicentre studies. More than 80% of the respondents expected clinical hyperthermia to be a part of routine oncology in the future and most to be given with a curative intent. Only few respondents spent more than 25% of their working time in hyperthermia and only very few departments used more than 5% of their total activities in hyperthermia. Financial granting seemed stable and most were optimistic for the forthcoming financial support. Experimentally more than 80% expected still to be involved in hyperthermic research in three years. The survey indicated that too many centres spent too little time in clinical hyperthermia and that more patients need to be included in phase III and multicentre studies.

Key Words:

• Hyperthermic oncology
• survey
• treatment strategy
• status
• ESHO