Frequently Asked Questions about Cancer Treatment by HIFU
Q. How does the ultrasound kill cancer cells but not healthy ones?
A. The unfocused ultrasound waves can pass through human tissue without affecting it. It is only at the focus of the high intensity ultrasound that sufficient energy is generated to heat and kill the cancer cells.
Q. How do you know that you are only treating the cancer cells?
A. Fortunately a cancer can be located by imaging ultrasound. By coupling the high intensity ultrasound with an imaging system we can ensure that the high intensity ultrasound is focused within the cancer.
Q. Are there truly no adverse side or after effects?
A. Particularly if the cancer lies relatively near to the skin, it is possible that small blisters - the equivalent of sunburn - can occur. This is rare, and the blisters disappear in a day or so. We have noted that some patients feel some discomfort internally for a few days after the treatment. Standard pain killers offer relief.
Q. Can I have HIFU treatment even if I have already had some other cancer treatment?
A. Yes. And because ultrasound is non-toxic, there are no side effects such as hair loss. There is no limit to the number of HIFU treatments you can have.
Q. What experience has there been of using this HIFU equipment?
A. Upwards of 8000 patients have been treated with this HIFU equipment in the Far East, and our work in Oxford confirms the claims for the successful treatment of certain cancers.
Q. Why isn't the treatment yet available on the N.H.S.?
A. Before any new treatment can be used by the NHS, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) must certify that it is an efficient and cost effective method of treatment. NICE has already passed HIFU treatment for prostate cancer to be used in the NHS and, following completion of their requirements, we expect this recommendation to be extended to our equipment in due course. Using our HIFU machine we are conducting a series of trials at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals and also enabling private patients to take advantage of the technology, all at no cost to the NHS.
Q. Will the cancer come back?
A. The cancer cells which we have treated are dead. There is some evidence that the treatment may stimulate the immune system, making the appearance of new cancers less likely.
Q. Are there any more benefits of the treatment?
A. Particularly in the case of pancreatic cancer, it has been reported that the intense pain associated with this disease is reduced by HIFU treatment. And in contrast to conventional surgery, there is no visible operation scar. Sometimes HIFU treatment of a kidney tumour, rather than its surgical removal, will allow continued functioning of the kidney and thus avoid subsequent dialysis.
Q. Are there other cancers than the ones you have listed that can be treated?
A. This is a developing technology, and new uses are being found.
Q. What does private treatment cost?
A. The pre-treatment assessment carried out by our expert, experienced team costs £200. If we go ahead with the treatment, the operating costs of the equipment, anaesthetics, hospital charges, testing, etc., amount to £12,180. [more details]
