Clinical Application of High-intensity Focused Ultrasound in Cancer Therapy.

The treatment of cancer is an important issue in both developing and developed countries. Clinical use of ultrasound in cancer is not only for the diagnosis but also for the treatment. Focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) is a noninvasive technique. By using the combination of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and imaging method, FUS has the potential to ablate tumor lesions precisely. The main mechanisms of HIFU ablation involve mechanical and thermal effects. Recent advances in HIFU have increased its popularity. Some promising results were achieved in managing various malignancies, including pancreas, prostate, liver, kidney, breast and bone. Other applications include brain tumor ablation and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. We aim at briefly outlining the clinical utility of FUS as a noninvasive technique for a variety of types of cancer treatment.

Introduction

Purpose Thermal ablation

Study Objective To briefly outline the clinical utility of focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) as a noninvasive technique for treating various cancers.

Disease model Cancer

Outcomes and Safety

Summary of Outcomes High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) produces mechanical and thermal effects that noninvasively ablate tumors and has shown promising clinical results in pancreas, prostate, liver, kidney, breast, bone and brain (including blood–brain barrier disruption), with potential use of microbubbles and for gene/drug delivery. The paper did not report testing or identify specific focused‑ultrasound parameter sets as successful.

Safety-related matter The authors state that HIFU technique should be monitored and tested for safe operation and quality assurance and that ongoing studies will provide more clinical data to ensure safe and effective use. The paper does not report any specific adverse effects.

Brain Region

Visualization unavailable

Ultrasound Parameters

Focal Characteristics Focal depth: None; Focal length: None; Aperture size: None

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