High intensity focused ultrasound gives new hope for cancer sufferers
25 September 2005
Oxford, England. Liver and kidney cancer sufferers in Europe can now
benefit from a remarkable proven technology from China. High-intensity
focused ultrasound (HIFU) can destroy tumours without surgery. The
technology can now be used in Europe because the model-JC Tumour Therapy
System produced by Chongqing Haifu Technology Co, China has gained the
European CE mark.
Since 1997 the model-JC Tumour Therapy System (Chongqing Haifu Technology
Co, China) has successfully treated over 8,000 patients with a variety of
cancers at over 20 centres in the Far East. Supported by successful clinical
trials performed at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford, UK — funded by UK
based company, Ultrasound Therapeutics Ltd — the equipment has recently been
awarded CE approval certification, the first major therapeutic device from
China to have gained CE approval. The granting of this stringent European
qualification could now mean new hope for cancer patients seeking effective
tumour treatment in the West.
Whilst diagnostic ultrasound scans will be familiar to thousands of
pregnant women, High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) concentrates the
energy to a very small focal point. These focused waves have the ability to
literally 'cook' tumours without the need for potentially hazardous open
surgery.
The process requires no incision and also has the added benefit of
minimal toxicity — unlike chemo or radiotherapy. However, in some cases,
there is no reason why the process cannot be used in conjunction with other
established cancer treatments.
The model-JC Tumour Therapy System focuses ultrasound waves inside the
body and the point of focus is 'aimed' by the operator using ultrasound
imaging techniques. This allows the doctors operating the machine to guide
the focus directly in to the tumour without any damage to the surrounding
tissue. In order to keep the patient perfectly still throughout, the
procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic.
In terms of side effects, the only post-treatment discomfort observed
were tiny and insignificant skin blisters and a small number of patients
needed little more than mild pain relief the following day. This information
only serves to corroborate the experience reported from China and the Far
East.
The Churchill trials show successful targeted focal ablation in 95% of
treated liver tumours and, in the most recent trials, kidney tumours have
also been successfully treated. The centre is still undertaking further
trials but is also able to consider off-trial referrals as appropriate. It
must be noted that all referrals will be discussed in detail with local
oncologists to ensure feasibility and practicality of all potential
treatments.
Recent publications in respected journals also show benefits to patients
with pancreatic, breast and some bone cancers.
More information:
http://www.utlltd.co.uk/hifu/hifu-system.html
To top |