Study of the Bioheat Equation with a Spherical Heat Source for Local Magnetic Hyperthermia

Abstract

Hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment in which cancer cells are exposed to high temperatures (up to 44-45°C). Research has shown that high temperatures can damage and kill cancer cells, by a localized and concentrated heating source. By killing cancer cells and damaging proteins and structures within cells, hyperthermia may shrink tumors, with minimal injury to normal tissues. In addition to in vitro and in vivo studies, computer simulation can be used to understand transport phenomena inside a tumor. In this study a spherical region containing a magnetic particle embedded in a tissue is modeled using the bioheat equation with the Penne's model for the thermal interaction between the tissue and the perfused blood. Analytical techniques are used to solve the bioheat equation with a point heat source of constant density power located as the center of a spherical domain. The point heat source model the heat generated by magnetic particles under the effect of an alternating magnetic field, used in studies of local magnetic hypertermia. Parametric studies of the temperature profiles are carried out to study the effect of different parameters like the heat generation rate, perfusion rate and diameter of the point source on the maximum temperature and on the temperature profile. Some discussion about important parameters research issues in cancer hypertermia are also addressed.