The study was approved by the university ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate ultrasonographically guided high-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage pancreatic cancer. Eight patients underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation, and laboratory and radiologic examinations were performed after intervention. Changes in symptoms and survival time were noted at follow-up. No complications were observed, and preexisting severe back pain disappeared after intervention. Follow-up images revealed an absence of tumor blood supply and shrinkage of the ablated tumor. Four patients died, and four patients were alive at the time of this writing, with a median survival time of 11.25 months. The authors conclude that high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation is safe and feasible in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

As a noninvasive therapy, HIFU appears to be effective, safe, and feasible in the treatment of patients with HCC. It may play an important role in the ablation of large tumors.

No abstract

The combination of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation and TACE is a promising approach in patients with advanced-stage HCC, but large-scale randomized clinical trials are necessary for confirmation.

HIFU treatment is safe, effective, and feasible for patients with breast cancer. But, large-scale, multiple-center clinical trials will be needed to determine the future role of this novel modality.