HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL THERAPY OF BREAST CANCER

• US 20070288075A1
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermatome Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rush University Medical Center (Rush University)
• Inventors: Dowlatshahi, Kambiz
• Granted Patent: US 8,486,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form

Abstract

A method is described for preventing breast cancer recurrence after surgical removal of a breast cancer mass. Specifically, the method is thermal treatment of breast tissue surrounding a cavity after lumpectomy for breast cancer. Delivery of a heated fluid is through a balloon catheter to the cavity generated after lumpectomy with the goal of ablating the surrounding tissue, including transformed cells that were not removed through surgery. A balloon and controller were designed for this application.

Claims

1. A method for reducing cancer recurrence by a thermal therapy, the method comprising:

(a) administering a heated fluid into a cavity formed by surgical removal of cancer tissue; and

(b) keeping the heated fluid in place until tissue surrounding the cavity is destroyed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the heated fluid is at a temperature of about 60°

C. in the cavity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is in a breast.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the heated fluid is delivered by a catheter.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the heated fluid comprises dextrose.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the heated fluid is in a balloon.

7. A balloon configured to conform to a cavity in a breast caused by removal of an undesirable growth, the configuration based on fatty tissue texture, thickness of the area around the cavity to be heated, rigidity of the balloon required to hold its form in a breast cavity, and pressure inside the balloon.

8. A method to control a balloon catheter used to place a balloon containing fluid inside a cavity in a breast caused by the removal of an undesirable growth, the method comprising:

(a) selecting a temperature in the range of 80°

-97°

C. to heat the fluid;

(b) selecting a pressure in the range of 7-26 mm Hg; and

(c) selecting time for lengths of cycles of heating.

9. Use of heated fluid for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition killing breast cancer cells to be administered into a patient after surgery.

11. The use according to claim 9, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is to be administered into a cavity formed by surgical removal of cancer tissue and is to be kept in place until tissue surrounding the cavity is destroyed.

10. A balloon catheter characterized by providing heated fluid to kill cancer cells in a patient after surgery.