Trials test ultrasound as cancer weapon

Scientists at the University of Oxford are preparing clinical trials to test a new way to treat kidney and liver tumors. Ultrasound waves will be directed to tumors, where bubbles will develop and pop, releasing heat and killing cancer cells. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or Hifu, has several advantages over surgery. Patients will not need to be opened up and healthy tissue will be left relatively untouched. The researchers are working with the same kind of technology employed by a microwave, where waves are used to heat material. So far, they have developed a very slow procedure that works on tumors that are difficult to reach. Hifu promises to increase the heat level as bubbles are created and then explode, causing the therapeutic effect.

- read the report from the BBC

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