What is ultrasound focused on high intensity?

ultrasound focused on high intensity (HIFU or HIFUS) is the treatment of cancer that uses sound waves at high frequency. The focused beam of sound waves is focused on cancer cells to heat and destroy them. It seems that in the short term, ultrasound focused on high intensity of less side effects than other cancer treatment. Because it is a relatively recent and experimental method, long -term effects are not known. Prostate, kidney and bladder cancer can be treated with HIFU and the technique has also been used to treat non -lawyer tumors such as uterine fibroids.

HIFU is most effective for individual tumors. In cases where cancer spreads through the body, other methods of treatment are usually used. The position of the tumor could also make the technique inappropriate. In addition to kidney, bladder and prostate cancer, ultrasound focused on high intensity can be used to treat the pancreas and liver tumors. It is also used in combination with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) for removal of the womb. The patient is awake and lies face down inside the scanner, with a button to alert the staff if any discomfort is felt during the process. MRI scan allows a three -dimensional view of the inside of the body in real time. This allows the beam of sound waves to focus on a small area of ​​fibroid.

Sound energy pulses heat tissue until the cells are killed, and this does not occur without damaging some of the surrounding tissues. The dead tissue, which was heated and destroyed by sound waves with high intensity, is reabsorbed by the body. To destroy all tumors, other impulses of sound waves are used, with MRI images showing which areas have been treated and which are not.

Although MRI-available FUS is expensive due to the cost of the appropriate technology, which includes the benefits of reduced side effects and shorter hospital stays. In comparison with surgery is also atThe nose that general anesthetic is not required for this type of procedure. Although it is known to be effective in the treatment of benign and cancerous tumors, ongoing studies can show the usefulness of ultrasound focused on high intensity in the treatment of other conditions such as bone metastase pain. Bone metastases are cancer growth that has spread to bones from the original tumor.