Microwaves for Cancer treatment

It is reported in Cancer Therapy Journal that large tumors in the breast, treated with a combination of chemotherapy and microwave heat treatment, have shown 50% higher size reduction than the tumors treated with chemotherapy alone. The combination of different cancer treatment techniques has been consistently showing better results than using a single technique such as chemotherapy or surgery.

It is worth mentioning here that radiation, either ionizing radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays or non-ionizing radiation such as microwaves can cause cancers under some conditions, and can also cure (destroy) cancers when the dose and dose rates are sufficiently high to kill the cancer tissues.

Two important precautions, however to be taken from the considerations of radiation protection are i) to ensure that the radiation dosage given should be optimized (not less, not more) and ii) the healthier tissues around the tumor are protected while giving the radiation dose.