Magnetic Hyperthermia. Strange Technology.

While researching something completely unrelated, I came across this "possibly" new method of treating cancerous cells. In essence, the technique proposed, would inject iron-nano particles into the cancerous tumor, and via magnetic fields, heat up the cells, tumor to (at least) 40 degrees Celsius.  With the extreme heat, the cells would ´be killed (actually, out right destroyed) and thus preventing further growth of the tumor. Intrigued, I decided to dig a little further, and came across this technical paper on the whole procedure (from Rice University 2006)

And, of course this got me thinking. What they are proposing, in essence is a phazer of sorts to "zap" the cancerous cells. Granted, in the procedureas described above, they would add "targeted nano-iron particles" to ensure that only those cells with the extra iron would be destroyed. However, as we all know, the human body already contains a significant amount of iron, In fact according to the American Red Cross, one pint of blood contains about 250 milligrams of iron: which may at first not sound like very much; but for this use may be enough.

Imagine for a moment if you will, what would happen if every iron atom in your body suddenly increased in temperature- basically, causing the boiling of blood within a few moments. And if the heat increase were fast enough, one would think there would not be an explosion per se, rather an instantaneous vaporization; very much like the phazers of sci-fi lore.

-Just something to think about, and how our current technology very much represents (and is) something most strange indeed.