High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)

Focused ultrasound waves that heat and destroy tumour tissue without incision.

What it is

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive cancer treatment that uses high-frequency sound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells. It is used for various types of cancer, including breast, prostate, liver, and uterine cancers.

What research shows

Studies suggest that HIFU can induce rapid tumor cytoreduction and mobilize early immunologic danger signals, leading to tumor regression and memory. In some cases, HIFU has been shown to be effective in combination with immunotherapies, such as CD40 agonism, and has improved outcomes in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. However, more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and optimal use.

Current status

HIFU is a promising treatment option for certain types of cancer, particularly those that are locally advanced or recurrent. However, its use is still limited by its availability and the need for further research to establish its long-term efficacy and optimal patient selection.

Moderate evidence

Key studies

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Focused ultrasound thermal ablation and CD40 agonism reprograms breast tumor immunity to drive regression and memory.
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High-intensity focused ultrasound is a noninvasive treatment strategy for abdominal wall desmoid tumors.
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High-intensity focused ultrasound combined with PD-1 inhibitors showed palliative benefit in elderly patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
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High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation and laparoscopic myomectomy had similar effects on ovarian function and endometrial receptivity in patients with uterine fibroids.
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Uterine fibroids are the most common tumor of the female genital tract and represent a major cause of gynecological morbidity.
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Primary liver malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma, remain major causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide.
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Histotripsy is a novel ultrasound-guided ablation technique that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a medical device for the noninvasive destruction of liver tumors.
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High-intensity focused ultrasound combined with PD-1 inhibitors showed palliative benefit in elderly patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
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High-intensity focused ultrasound combined with eribulin and sintilimab showed promising effects in a patient with advanced leiomyosarcoma.
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Focal therapy using high-intensity focused ultrasound or cryotherapy showed similar oncological outcomes to standard management in patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer.
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Focal therapy using high-intensity focused ultrasound or cryotherapy was safe in patients who did not meet the ideal focal therapy candidate profile.
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Patient and technology selection remain complex for focal therapy in prostate cancer.
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Ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound has rapidly expanded in South Korea, despite the absence of widely accepted standardized clinical protocols.
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High-intensity focused ultrasound combined with sonodynamic therapy showed promising effects in liver cancer cells.
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Focal therapy using high-intensity focused ultrasound or cryotherapy showed similar oncological outcomes to standard management in patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer.
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PMID 42424154
Targeted neurosurgical interventions, including high-intensity focused ultrasound, have evolved substantially during recent decades.
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PMID 42419881
The (cost-)effectiveness of focal therapy versus radical therapy in the treatment of men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer is being investigated.
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Ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation was safe and effective in patients with abdominal wall scars on the acoustic pathway.
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Remimazolam combined with sufentanil was effective for sedation during ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation of uterine fibroids.
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PMID 42380369
An AI-driven model integrating immediate post-ablation ultrasound and clinical data was developed to predict early failure after HIFU.
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This information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. Medical procedures carry individual risks and benefits. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your treatment.