Electromagnetic and thermal modeling of the lucite cone applicator for superficial hyperthermia

Summary form only given. The benefit of applying superficial hyperthermia in combination with radiotherapy has been demonstrated by the International Collaborative Hyperthermia Group. Since then, superficial hyperthermia has been in clinical practice as a routine modality, mainly for the treatment of chest wall recurrences of breast cancer. The lucite cone applicator (LCA) is one of the applicators which have successfully been used in this area. However, the variability of the physical parameters involved in the treatment is still an important factor for the treatment quality. Therefore, it is necessary to model the applicators, in order to determine the physical parameters which are of significance in this respect. This, presents a numerical investigation of the LCA. The modeling of the applicator allows the prediction of the electromagnetic energy deposition and temperature rise patterns. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used for the electromagnetic modeling of the applicator.