Modeling Hyperthermia Effects on a Spherical-Shaped Tumor: A Proposed Computational-Modeling Approach

Abstract

Hyperthermia is a form of cancer therapy in which the cancer cells are exposed to high temperatures, typically 41-45 degrees C. This treatment produces a reduction in the tumors’ dimensions as the cancer cells are killed by the effect of relatively high temperatures. This project is aimed at modeling the heat transfer process for hyperthermia treatment of a spherical-shaped tumor in order to predict both the temperature profiles as well as the rate of cancer cell killing inside the tumor domain. The model will be based upon the conservation equation for heat conduction with “bulk” heat sources. By assuming limiting cases of the heat sources (such as uniform and constant), a solution will be proposed for the model by using a separation of variables approach for differential equations coupled with particular solutions. The primary goal of the research in this project is to outline a systematic and efficient approach to learn about hyperthermia performance in cancer tumor treatment. The results can then be shared with medical doctors so that they can propose a better strategy for a more personalized patient treatment. In addition, the research will establish a model that serves as a basis for other types of heat sources such as oscillatory-time dependent and non-uniform functions. Details about the model formulation, solution approach, and an outline for future research will be discussed.