The treatment of bladder cancer with Chemohyperthermia is very effective for the non-invasive cancer, with few side effects, and with the latest technological advances.
The application of substances at 43ºC in the bladder has already
antitumoural effect. If, in addition, the Mitomycin is applied at this temperature, it increases the penetration in the tumour cell. It can be warmed externally through a urinary catheter and without causing discomfort to the patient (except for the placement of the tube).
According to studies, this increases the effectiveness of Mitomycin
by 59%. Studies have already been launched to treat patients suffering from other tumours with this procedure.
Application of Chemohyperthermia
A urinary catheter is placed in the bladder, emptying all of the urine that is inside. A solution containing Mitomycin passes through the probe. This solution is recirculated continuously
thanks to a specific system (COMBAT), which will be kept at constant temperature of 43 ºC.
The COMBAT system has the latest advances in intravesical recirculation, which makes it the more secure and reliable on the market. Throughout the process, a specialised nurse will monitor you. Regardless of the cycles performed, you will continue with the revisions indicated by your urologist.
Advantages of Chemohyperthermia compared to other instillations
- Requires a smaller number of procedures compared with the classic method using mitomycin or BCG.
- Has fewer side effects in terms of fever or infectious processes after instillation.
- In intermediate risk tumours, it is 59% more effective than classic mitomycin.
- It can be applied in patients with alterations of the immune system or immunosuppressive treatment.
- When BCG is contraindicated, Chemohyperthermia is an effective alternative.
Side effects and complications of Chemohyperthermia
- Blood in the urine during 24 hours (<5%)
- Pain or bladder spasms during treatment (15%), treatable using local anaesthesia or with painkillers
- Toxicity of mitomycin (<5%)
- Voiding disturbance as consequence of the procedure (15%)
- Local skin lesions in case of skin contact
Contraindications of Chemohyperthermia
Despite being one of the best tolerated treatments on the market, some side effects can still occur:
- Urethral stenosis that does not allow the passage of a 16F probe
- Allergy to Mitomycin
- Lack of effectiveness of previous instillations