A fascinating fact I first encountered during my undergraduate studies involved people who, years ago, claimed to hear voices in their heads. The culprit wasn’t the supernatural, it was radiation. Metal fillings in their teeth were acting like tiny antennas, picking up radio waves from broadcasting towers. 

That was my first glimpse into how parts of the human body could interact with electromagnetic radiation from the outside world. Today, my research takes this idea further but instead of radio waves, I work with microwaves, and instead of dental fillings, my focus is on tumours. This is a crucial step towards improving treatment and survival outcomes for cancer patients. 

Heating Tumours to Heal 

Microwave hyperthermia is a treatment that uses temperatures slightly higher than normal to damage and weaken tumour cells. A set of small antennas placed outside the body emits microwave radiation, which converges precisely at a targeted point inside. Due to constructive interference, this point heats up, much like how multiple waves in a pool can meet to create a larger wave. 

The rise in temperature triggers a cascade of biological effects: 

• Proteins within tumour cells denature, disrupting their normal functions.

• Tumour growth slows, while blood flow increases, making subsequent treatments delivered through the bloodstream more effective. 

Remarkably, this is achieved with minimal side effects. When administered correctly, the only reported discomfort is mild skin irritation or slight unease during the procedure. 

Microwave hyperthermia isn’t designed to replace chemotherapy or radiotherapy, it strengthens them. By precisely heating tumour tissue before these traditional treatments, hyperthermia increases their efficacy. A typical session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, with the patient lying still to ensure healthy tissues remain unaffected. 

Around the world, hospitals are increasingly incorporating hyperthermia into cancer treatment plans. Clinical studies are showing promising results, demonstrating improved treatment responses and patient outcomes. 

In order to understand the technology, think of a microwave phased array as a team of flashlights working in perfect synchrony. Instead of shining light randomly, each ‘flashlight’ (or antenna) coordinates to focus energy precisely where it’s needed, similar to how a magnifying glass focuses sunlight. By carefully controlling the timing of signals from each antenna, the system concentrates microwaves at a single location while cancelling them elsewhere. This technology allows for non-invasive, highly targeted heating inside the body, the same principle that underpins wireless charging, security scanners, and other advanced systems. 

As part of my research at the University of Malta, I am developing a next-generation microwave hyperthermia system that rivals current clinical systems in accuracy and efficiency. My goal is simple: to make cancer treatment more effective, more comfortable, and more accessible to those who need it. 

This work, “Hyper4B” is financed by Xjenza Malta and the Scientific Technology Research Council (TÜBİTAK), through the Xjenza Malta-TÜBİTAK 2022 Joint Call for R&I projects. 

About the Author: Therese Quattromani is an electronics engineer reading for a master’s degree at the University of Malta

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