It sounds like science fiction but it’s not. As described in the Your Health section of the June 2009 Erickson Tribune, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can destroy tumors and cancer—it’s called ablation—without making any incisions.
Only one device has been approved for use in the U.S. (to treat uterine fibroids), but other places are using it for further treatments. Check them out here:
Maple Leaf HIFU Co. http://www.hifu.ca/
International HIFU http://www.internationalhifu.com/
InSightec http://www.insightec.com/108-en/Fibroid-TreatmentLocations.aspx
Ultrashape http://www.ultrashape.com/company_profile.aspx
While focused ultrasound is fascinating, and seems feasible, there’s one thing about it that I wish was fiction. If it lands somewhere other than where intended, it could destroy (ablate!) that area unintentionally. Then again, hitting the right area could save your life.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Sounds like you want to make sure the person performing the treatment has steady hands.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:53 am
That’s pretty cool to see technology at good use!
June 15th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Useful info! Thanks for the links about where to find HIFU.
June 11th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
I’ll hire my own specialist for this one… and not leave it in the hands of those clowns in congress (Come to think of it - clowns serve a useful purpose… what’s a good word - what am I saying … I need a ‘bad’ word for those &*$# -ups in congress!
No BP types are gonna sign off on this one for me.
June 16th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Hello meijor, thank you for your comment. Our Blog section has actually moved to another location, so if you’d like to continue the conversation on this topic, you can go here. http://ericksontribune.com/2009/06/want-to-get-your-tumor-hifu-ed-hi-food/