We all know about Ultrasound Scans, right? This scan is used especially during pregnancy to check the baby's details or to find the cause of a stomach ache. But did you know that using this same ultrasound technology, things like cancerous tumors in the body can be destroyed without surgery? That amazing, modern medical technology is what we call High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or HIFU for short.
Simply put, what is HIFU?
HIFU is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses high-energy ultrasound waves to destroy problematic tissues inside the body.
Remember when you were a kid, using a convex lens to focus sunlight and burn something like a leaf? That's how it is. The HIFU machine uses a high-intensity sound wave beam to precisely target the tissue. The energy of these sound waves causes the temperature of the targeted tissue to rise suddenly, destroying the cells. We call this process Ablation .
What's special about this is that the sound waves travel through other layers of tissue, such as skin and flesh, without damaging them, and only affect the target. Doctors usually use an MRI scan or an Ultrasound scan at this time to see exactly where to treat. That's why it's sometimes called Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS).
What conditions can HIFU treatment be used for?
HIFU technology is now being used to treat a number of diseases. It is particularly effective for solid malignant tumors and benign tumors. You can get a good idea of it from the table below.
| Body part/condition being treated | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Cancerous Tumors | It is used for some types of cancer that occur in organs such as the prostate, liver, kidney, pancreas, breast, bone, and esophagus. |
| Uterine Fibroids | This type of non-cancerous tumor, which occurs in many women, can be removed without surgery. |
| Essential Tremor | In cases of tremors in limbs, such as hands, that cannot be controlled with medication, it is used to treat the relevant part of the brain. |
| Parkinson's Disease | It is used to treat the brain to control the tremors that occur in this disease. |
| Pain from cancer spreading to the bones | It is used to relieve severe pain caused by the spread of cancer cells to the bones. |
| Thyroid Nodules | It is also used for some problematic nodules in the thyroid gland. |
Medical researchers are continuing to investigate whether this HIFU technology can be used for a number of other diseases.
Why do doctors choose HIFU treatment?
The main reason is that this is a non-invasive treatment, performed externally, and is generally safer than other treatment methods.
The most important thing is that it doesn't require major surgery to cut open the body. And it doesn't use radiation. This is a big advantage.
But one thing to remember is that not all types of tumors can be treated with HIFU. For example, for someone with prostate cancer, this treatment is only suitable if the cancer is early, low-risk, confined to the prostate, and clearly visible on an MRI or ultrasound scan . If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or if the tumor is difficult to see clearly on a scan, HIFU treatment may not be suitable. Therefore, your doctor will decide whether this is right for you.
What happens before and during a HIFU treatment?
Before treatment
Usually, before HIFU treatment, you will have an MRI or ultrasound scan. This will help the doctor find the exact area of tissue that needs to be treated. Your medical team will give you clear instructions on how to prepare for the treatment (for example, whether you should fast). It is very important to follow these instructions exactly.
During treatment
The way HIFU treatment is performed may vary slightly depending on your condition, but it usually goes something like this:
1. Preparation: You will be made to lie down on an examination table. A special device may be used to keep the part of the body being treated still. (For example, if the brain is being treated, a frame to keep the head still).
2. Anesthesia: Depending on the situation, you may be given medication to remain fully conscious, to be slightly sedated, or to be completely anesthetized (general anesthesia).
3. Targeting: Using an MRI or Ultrasound scan, the doctor marks the exact location of the tissue to be treated.
4. Starting the treatment: The HIFU machine's sound wave emitting part (probe) is placed on your skin, above the marked area. (For prostate cancer, this probe is inserted through the rectum).
5. Test dose: First, a small 'test' dose is given, and then the intensity of the sound waves is increased or decreased depending on the depth of the tissue.
6. Delivering the treatment: Then, sound waves of the appropriate intensity are directed at the target tissue in short bursts.
7. Confirmation: After treatment, a scan is performed again to confirm whether the targeted tissue has been destroyed.
HIFU treatment can usually be completed in a single session.
What are the benefits and risks of HIFU treatment?
Like any medical treatment, HIFU has its benefits and minor risks. Learn more about them in this table.
| Advantages | Risks & Side Effects |
|---|---|
| No surgery or incision is required (Non-invasive). | Overall, the risk is very low. |
| There is no exposure to radiation. | Very rarely, burns may occur on the surface of the skin. |
| Because it targets only diseased tissue, damage to healthy tissue is minimal. | Side effects may vary depending on the disease being treated. |
| You can usually receive treatment without staying in the hospital and go home (outpatient). | For example, difficulty urinating or erectile dysfunction may occur after prostate treatment. |
| The recovery period is very short, and you can resume normal activities within a few days. | It is very important to talk to your doctor about this. |
How long does it take to recover?
The recovery time after HIFU treatment varies from person to person and depends on the condition being treated. However, it is generally much quicker than major surgery. Your medical team will explain everything from how long you need to rest, what you can and can't do, to what you can't do.
Take-Home Message
- HIFU is a modern, safe treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to destroy tumors, such as cancerous tumors, without any incisions or radiation.
- This allows treatment to be targeted only to the diseased tissue, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
- Compared to surgery, there are fewer side effects, and the recovery time is very short.
- But this treatment is not suitable for every patient or every type of cancer.
- Always talk to your doctor about whether this treatment is right for you and what its pros and cons are, and make the right decision.
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