HIFU for Liver and Kidney Tumours
Author Information
Author(s): Illing R O, Kennedy J E, Wu F, ter Haar G R, Protheroe A S, Friend P J, Gleeson F V, Cranston D W, Phillips R R, Middleton M R
Primary Institution: HIFU Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
Hypothesis
Is extracorporeal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) safe and feasible for treating liver and kidney tumors in a Western population?
Conclusion
HIFU treatment of liver and kidney tumors in a Western population is both safe and feasible.
Supporting Evidence
- HIFU exposure resulted in discrete zones of ablation in 25 of 27 evaluable patients (93%).
- Ablation of liver tumors was achieved more consistently than for kidney tumors (100% vs 67%).
- The adverse event profile was favorable when compared to more invasive techniques.
Takeaway
Doctors used a special ultrasound to treat tumors in the liver and kidneys without surgery, and it worked well and safely for most patients.
Methodology
Patients underwent a single therapeutic HIFU session under general anesthesia, followed by MRI assessment of response 12 days later.
Limitations
HIFU cannot be directed through air-filled viscera and may not be effective for tumors deeper than 10 cm from the skin.
Participant Demographics
30 patients (23 male, 7 female) with a mean age of 65 years (range 40–84 years).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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