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.

Journal of Cancer. 2016 Jan 03*** epublish ***

Yi-Hsuan Hsiao, Shou-Jen Kuo, Horng-Der Tsai, Ming-Chih Chou, Guang-Perng Yeh

1. School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan., 3. Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan., 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan., 1. School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan., 1. School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.