Oncology is the theme for this month’s research review. Recently published focused ultrasound papers include clinical evaluation of HIFU for treating pancreatic cancer, results from a Phase I breast cancer trial, and a 5-year review of outcomes after whole-gland prostate treatment.

A group in Germany sought to clinically evaluate using focused ultrasound to treat pancreatic cancer. The 13 patients who were treated experienced progressive reduction in the size of the tumor and a decrease in cancer-related pain. See High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for Pancreatic Carcinoma: Evaluation of Feasibility, Reduction of Tumour Volume and Pain Intensity in European Radiology.

Researchers in Utrecht, the Netherlands have published the results from their Phase I clinical trial using focused ultrasound for the treatment of breast cancer. See First clinical experience with a dedicated MRI-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound system for breast cancer ablation in European Radiology. This research was highlighted in Aunt Minnie Europe in their story HIFU: A Good Alternative to Lumpectomy, published on MedicalPhysicsWeb.com.

Collaborators from University College London and several other UK institutions have published a comprehensive, 5-year review of 500 patients who received focused ultrasound treatment for whole-gland prostate cancer. See Medium-term Outcomes after Whole-gland High-intensity Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer from a Multicentre Registry Cohort in European Urology.