Anti-tumour effects of localized hyperthermia on an experimental bone tumour using an intramedullary nail

A new localized hyperthermia system for an experimental bone tumour in the rabbit tibia was developed. This system was composed of an induction coil, generator and a Kirschner wire, which was inserted into the medullary canal of the tibia as a heat-generating ferromagnetic implant. The metastatic bone tumour model was created by implantation of VX2 carcinoma in the medullary canal of the tibia diaphysis. Ten days after VX2 implantation, hyperthermia was induced for 50 min. Three weeks after the treatment, rabbits were sacrificed for histological and radiological evaluation. According to the semi-quantitative scoring system, anti-tumour effects of the single dose of hyperthermia was noted radiologically (p < 0.01) and histologically (p < 0.05) where the temperature was at a sufficient level to cause hyperthermia (> 42.5 degrees C). This new heating method, which is relatively simple and clinically applicable, appears to be promising for the treatment of metastatic tumours of the long bone.