The Foundation is pleased to announce that focused ultrasound pioneer Joan Vidal-Jové, MD, PhD, will serve as the honorary president at our 7th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound in November 2020.
Dr. Vidal-Jové is the Head of Focused Ultrasound Ablation Oncology at Barcelona University Hospital** and has built his impressive career investigating focused ultrasound to treat more than 200 cases of pancreatic cancer, liver tumors, soft tissue desmoid tumors, and – more recently – lung cancer.
“I believe completely in the potential of focused ultrasound to treat many different conditions,” said Dr. Vidal-Jové. “I was first introduced to focused ultrasound when seeking options for my patients whose disease was too late-stage to be treated with traditional surgery. This technology was a valuable tool to help these patients noninvasively.”
At the 2018 Symposium, Dr. Vidal-Jové shared a case report of his first lung tumor treatment. The lung has long been considered a challenging target for focused ultrasound because ultrasound does not pass through air. Dr. Vidal-Jové was able to treat the metastatic tumor, which was located in the lung periphery, because he could avoid air along the beam path.
However, his priority is treating pancreatic cancer. Although this is the most difficult ablation to perform in the abdomen, his results show that focused ultrasound, when added to standard chemotherapy, improves survival in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.
“Joan is a pioneer in the truest sense because he is striving to – and finding success in – treating conditions that we didn’t think would be possible using focused ultrasound,” explains Foundation Chairman Neal F. Kassell, MD. “Cancers of the pancreas and lung tumors are logistically challenging, and oftentimes patients don’t seek treatment until they are extremely ill. His work has led to offer patients another option, and this represents the true meaning of innovation and dedication.”
The 7th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound will take place November 8-12, 2020, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner hotel in McLean, Virginia, USA.* As honorary President, Dr. Vidal-Jové will address a dedicated group of physicians, researchers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders during the morning plenary session on Monday, November 9.
“The field of researchers and clinicians who are devoted to advancing this technology is outstanding,” said Dr. Vidal-Jové. “I look forward to seeing everyone next November to share our work and build relationships where we can work together in the future.”
A preliminary program, registration, and abstract submission deadlines for the Symposium will be made available in early 2020.
*In June 2020, the Foundation decided to hold the 7th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound as a virtual meeting, November 9-13, 2020.
**Dr. Vidal-Jové is now Director of the Comprehensive Tumor Center Barcelona at Institut Khuab for Interventional Oncology.