Possible Clinical Implications of Therapeutically Induced Temperature Changes in Continuously Monitored Tumour mass: (Preliminary Report)

Continuous temperature monitoring was carried out with thermistor probes implanted in breast tumours and in normal breast tissue. The results indicate that an initial rise in tumour temperature induced by the administration of nor-ethisterone acetate is associated with a subsequent objective response to that agent, whilst a fall has the reverse implication. Circadian rhythm has been demonstrated in all of the normal breasts and in all the tumours. It is suggested that skin temperature measurements above the tumour do not accurately relate to temperature within the tumour unless there is skin involvement. Considerable variation with time has been demonstrated in the tumour-normal temperature differential. This casts doubts upon the diagnostic value of the “normal” thermogram when taken as an isolated measurement. It may also tend to obscure any relationship between the degree of tumour temperature elevation and prognosis. We have now extended this investigation to include the effect of radiation to the cervix on temperature patterns in that site.