HIFU Cancer Treatment: A Promising New Approach

Cancer treatment methods are always being studied and improved to provide patients with the most effective ways of destroying cancer. Sound waves are being evaluated as a possible new technique to rid the body of cancer.

Identification

• The technique of using sound waves for cancer treatment is called high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Sound waves can pass harmlessly through the body and destroy cancerous tumors.

Function

• HIFU therapy targets cancer cells in regions deep in the body, like the prostate, breast and liver, and offers a safer alternative to surgery and radiotherapy to fight cancer.

Features

• High frequency sound waves heat up the targeted tissue in the body. By focusing the treatment to specific cancer areas, surrounding parts of the body are left unharmed.

Potential

• HIFU is still in experimental stages. A clinical trial conducted at the University College Hospital in London and the Princess Grace Hospital in London used HIFU to treat 172 men with prostate cancer. A year later, 159 men were followed up, and ninety-two percent had no recurrence.

Further Trials

• The technique is still being evaluated for its effectiveness compared to other standard cancer treatments. Cancer Research UK is funding studies comparing HIFU to other treatments.