India has the highest oral cancer incidence globally and majority of the patients are
diagnosed with locally advanced oral cancer (LAOC) that require effective adjuvant
therapy. Hyperthermia (HT), an adjuvant cancer therapy, wherein tumor tissue is
selectively raised to 40-45 C for 30-60 minutes is clinically proven to sensitize
radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Literature survey on targeted tumor tissue heating
reveals the following gaps and challenges for HT treatment of LAOC: In order to treat
tumour of large size, near-field antenna with large electric field size and penetration of
several cm in tissue is desired. A conformal waterbolus with nearly uniform fluid flow
distribution is essential for body surface cooling and improved power coupling to tissue
during treatment. To address these requirements, design, optimization and development
of Indian anthropometry based conformal waterbolus will be investigated. Further, design
of dielectric loaded near field antennas, array configurations, and treatment planning
algorithms will be investigated for targeted delivery of HT treatment for LAOC.