Ultrasound 'to replace cancer radiotherapy'

 

Focusing sound waves produce heat and can be used to burn away nerve cells

ULTRASOUND could take over from radiotherapy after a pioneering clinical trial showed it can prevent pain in cancer patients.

 

Using the same principle as a magnifying glass directing sunlight to burn a piece of paper, the ultrasound beam is focused on a specific point to create heat.

It can burn away the nerve cells close to tumours that cause pain and even destroy cancer tissue. The sound waves used are nearly 10,000 times more powerful than an ultrasound pregnancy scan.

Professor Nandita DeSouza, consultant radiologist at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey, said: "The trial has had very positive results and we have been able to reduce patients' pain significantly. The future for this treatment is exciting and it could one day replace radiotherapy."

 

Ultrasound provides much quicker pain relief than radiotherpay

A 61-year-old breast cancer patient who could barely walk because of severe pain was able to go for a 30-minute walk with her family after treatment.

This non-invasive treatment has great potential for other cancers in future

Professor DeSouza

Radiographer Sharon Giles said: "The pain relief is almost instant whereas with radiotherapy it can take up to three weeks. If that patient only has six months to live then three weeks is a long time. The patient who could barely walk was able to spend some quality time with her family. That is important because the pain is so destructive and many patients have to take painkillers and are drowsy."

The treatment is being used only on patients whose cancer has spread to the bones. Around 30,000 patients in the UK experience cancer-induced bone pain every year. Ultrasound treatment can be used repeatedly but patients can only tolerate a limited amount of radiotherapy.


The treatment is only being used on patients who's cancer has spread to their bones


 

Ultrasound can be used much more frequently than radiotherpay

The trial, lead by Professor Gail ter Haar is a collaboration between the Royal Marsden, the Institute of Cancer Research, Philips and the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.

The technology has also been tested on prostate cancer patients and early results show it can minimise complications.

Professor DeSouza added: "This non-invasive treatment has great potential for other cancers in future."