Ultrasound Therapy for Tumor Ablation
Ultrasound therapy for women with uterine fibroids provides a non-invasive alternative to the traditional hysterectomy. The research on ultrasound therapy doesn’t stop with fibroids. This surgical application is in the research phase for neurosurgery and oncology applications and clinical trials for palliation of bone metastases (CE approved), breast cancer and prostate cancer are also in progress.
The first stage of therapy uses the magnetic resonance imaging in order to create a detailed image of the fibroid or tumor. Once this has been created, it is possible to position the ultrasound in such a way that it can accurately target the tumor without affecting the surrounding tissue.
The intensified ultrasound waves are focused on the tumor for ablation. The targeted area in the body is usually ellipsoid in shape, and can range from one and ten mm in its diameter, and then going up to five cm in length.
By delivering repeated bursts of the ultrasound energy to the tumor, it will go above the threshold of the thermal dose, and coagulative necrosis will begin. Monitoring of the tumor and surrounding area occurs throughout the treatment with the magnetic resonance imaging.
Because of the non-invasive nature of ultrasound therapy, tumor ablation can be completed without the use of any general anesthetic. Unlike other surgical treatment options, recovery time from ultrasound therapy is much faster.
