Caution-Investigational Device - Limited by United States Law to Investigational Use.
Background
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer (after lung cancer) and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. The current standard for breast cancer treatment is surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy). Other means of treating breast cancer include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immune therapy, depending on the level of risk.
ExAblate using MR guided focused ultrasound has the potential to provide a non-invasive outpatient treatment for breast cancer tumors without the need for an incision.
Using ExAblate for treating breast cancer
ExAablate using MR guided focused ultrasound is being investigated as an alternative to surgical lumpectomy, assuming most of cancer cells are destroyed during MRgFUS treatment. The desired result is total coagulation of the tumor as defined by MRequivalent to surgical removal at lumpectomy. After surgery patients undergo standard followup treatment, radiation, chemotherapy or
combination of treatments.
Potential benefits of ExAblate
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Totally non-invasive
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Continuous MR guidance
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No general anesthesia, surgery, surgical scar or need for breast reconstruction
