I Meeting of the Spanish Oncological Hyperthermia Group at San Roque University Hospitals

Prof. Pedro C. Lara and Dr. Marta Lloret have been the organizers of this important scientific event in a very novel area of ​​cancer treatment. Among the institutions participating are the Canary Islands Comprehensive Cancer Center of San Roque University Hospitals, the Fernando Pessoa Canary Islands University, the Canary Islands Cancer Research Institute, the Canary Islands Health Service and the Spanish Society of Oncology and Radiotherapy.

Oncological hyperthermia It is a new form of cancer treatment that improves the results of conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments. Hyperthermia sensitizes the tumor to oncological treatments, favoring greater tumor destruction without increasing side effects. There are nine centers that offer hyperthermia in Spain, among which are the GC Doctor Negrín University Hospital and the San Roque University Hospitals.

At the conference, the latest scientific advances in this field, the use of nanotechnology and the clinical experience of the most advanced national and international centers in the use of this treatment in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy were discussed. The objective of the congress has been to disseminate hyperthermia among professionals as another opportunity to combat cancer. 

Various European oncologists, leaders in this treatment, from centers in Italy, Switzerland and Holland, as well as representatives of public and private Spanish centers that have this technique, have participated in this First Meeting of the Spanish Oncological Hyperthermia Group. More than fifty specialists from international centers, such as the University of Verona, Italy; University of Rotterdam, Netherlands; and Aaru Cantonal Hospital, Switzerland. And also of national centers, such as the Teknon Barcelona Clinic, Quirón Málaga Hospital, Quirón Sevilla Hospital, Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín University Hospital, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Málaga Regional University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Barcelona, ​​Catalan Institute of Oncology, INMOA Madrid and the Cadiz University.

At the press conference The Vice President of San Roque University Hospitals, Dr. Herminia Rodríguez, was present; the Magnificent Rector of the Fernando Pessoa Canarias University, Mr. Antonio Rodríguez; the Coordinator of the Spanish Oncological Hyperthermia Group, Dr. Jorge Contreras; the Director of the HUSR Canarian Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Pedro C. Lara; and the Head of the Radiation Oncology Service of the HUGCDN, Dr. Marta Lloret.

Dr. Pedro C. Lara: “Hyperthermia makes a difference in metastatic phases of cancer where conventional treatments work less. "Hyperthermia combined with conventional treatments can double the patient's survival."

Dr. Jorge Contreras: “With hyperthermia we are looking for a way to make the tumor more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. We are trying to implement hyperthermia in Spain, so that doctors and patients know about it, so that it is incorporated into service portfolios. 

Dr. Marta Lloret: “Hyperthermia is a great opportunity because it adds to and enhances the usual cancer treatments, and is not exclusive of them.”