Microwave thermotherapy
Microwave thermotherapy
Microwave thermotherapy (pronunciation: mi-cro-wave ther-mo-thera-py) is a medical treatment that uses microwave energy to generate heat and treat certain medical conditions.
Etymology
The term 'Microwave thermotherapy' is derived from three words. 'Micro' is a prefix in the metric system denoting a factor of one millionth. 'Wave' refers to the propagation of disturbance. 'Thermo' is derived from the Greek word 'thermos' meaning 'hot', and 'therapy' comes from the Greek 'therapeia' meaning 'healing'.
Definition
Microwave thermotherapy is a type of hyperthermia therapy where microwaves are used to raise the temperature of tissue. The heat generated can help to shrink tumors and destroy or damage cancer cells, making it a useful tool in the treatment of cancer.
Procedure
In microwave thermotherapy, a probe is inserted into the body, usually through a natural opening or a small incision. The probe is guided to the area to be treated using medical imaging techniques. Once in place, the probe emits microwaves that heat the targeted tissue to a specific temperature. This heat can kill or damage cells in the targeted area, without harming surrounding healthy tissue.
Related Terms
- Hyperthermia therapy: A type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells.
- Microwave: A form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimeter.
- Cancer: A group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
- Medical imaging: The technique and process of creating visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Microwave thermotherapy
- Wikipedia's article - Microwave thermotherapy
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