Thermal analysis of magnetic nanoparticles in laryngeal cancer hyperthermia using computational simulation

Abstract

Hyperthermia is a cancer treatment method that applies controlled heat to target and destroy cancer cells. Hyperthermia raises tumor temperatures to 42-46 degrees C, selectively damaging cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. In this study, the potential of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermic treatment is explored through computational simulations. When exposed to an external alternating magnetic field, these nanoparticles generate localized heat, effectively elevating the temperature of the tumor region. Simulations were conducted during three distinct phases of breathing (inhalation, exhalation, and breath-hold) to evaluate their influence on heat distribution and temperature changes in both cancerous and healthy tissues. The results show that during the breath-hold phase, heat is primarily transferred to the air within the larynx, reducing the thermal effect on adjacent muscle tissues. In contrast, during the inhalation and exhalation phases, significant heat transfer occurs to the surrounding tissues, resulting in more pronounced temperature increases. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing hyperthermic treatment protocols and suggest that magnetic nanoparticle-based hyperthermia may offer enhanced efficacy and safety for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.