Hyperthermia of the cancerous breast: analysis of mechanism.

Cancerous breast hyperthermia is seemingly associated with non-neurological vasodilation modulated by nitric oxide (NO). NO, associated with enhanced immune response, is produced autocatalytically involving ferritin as the supplier of Fe2+, which catalyses the formation of NO. NO, in turn, releases Fe2+ from ferritin. This mechanism implies: (1) dependence of hyperthermia on the ferritin content of the neoplastic tissue; (2) oscillatory behavior of the hyperperfusion; (3) hyperthermia that extends far beyond the boundaries of the neoplastic tissue; (4) diminished neurological control of the perfusion in the affected breast; (5) limitations on the observed asymmetry between the breasts. These five effects were previously observed in numerous independent studies. Monitoring the temporal behavior of the hyperthermia is expected to substantially increase both sensitivity and specificity of cancer detection.