Modeling and Simulation of a Microwave Super-Lens Array for Hyperthermia Treatment of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent type of endocrine cancer, estimated to double among Egyptian women by 2050. The objective of this study was to investigate the microwave (MW)-induced hyperthermia (HT) treatment of TC using a cylindrical metamaterial (MTM) super-lens array. A 3D full human neck model extracted from a DICOM CT image stack for a patient with pathologically confirmed TC was performed. We created a thyroid gland model using the Computer Simulation Technology, applying a finite element method. A microstrip patch antenna applicator with MTM super-lens array was designed to calculate the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and temperature distribution inside and out of TC at 2.4 GHz. With an MTM super-lens array, the temperatures within the TC reached higher significant levels above 42 °C, sufficient to sustain HT treatment. Thus, MTM super-lens arrays can be used for modeling and simulating efficient MW-induced HT treatment of TC.