Li Ka-Shing Ultrasound Therapy Reaches 1 Million Cases
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Focused Ultrasound Therapy Reaches Milestone: 1 Million patients Treated
Table of Contents
What is Focused Ultrasound Therapy?
Focused Ultrasound (FUS) therapy is a sound wave treatment technology offering a non-invasive choice to traditional methods like surgery, radiation, and drugs. It utilizes precisely focused sound waves to target specific tissues within the body, inducing therapeutic effects without incisions or exposure to ionizing radiation.
The 1 million Patient Milestone
The Focused Ultrasound Foundation reports that over 1 million patients worldwide have undergone FUS therapy sence its introduction six decades ago. A significant portion of these treatments - approximately 175,000 cases – have focused on liver tumors. This achievement signifies a turning point in the adoption of this technology, according to Neal Kassell, chairman of the Foundation.
“In the past two years, we finally achieved a critical mass and reached the inflection point of this adoption phase,” said Kassell, former co-chair of neurology at the University of Virginia. “FUS treatment improves medical outcomes, decreases cost of care and improves patient access [by] doing more with less.”
Expanding Applications and research
The increasing adoption of FUS is paralleled by a broadening scope of applications. The number of diseases being treated or actively researched using FUS has risen to over 200.This includes investigations into treatments for neurological disorders, pain management, and even cosmetic procedures.
Conditions Currently Treated or under Investigation
| Category | Specific Conditions |
|---|---|
| Oncology | Liver tumors, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney tumors |
| Neurology | Essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease (research phase) |
| Pain Management | Chronic pain, neuropathic pain |
| Urology | Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer |
| Other | Uterine fibroids, bone metastases |
The Role of Key Backers
hong kong tycoon Li Ka-shing
is among the prominent backers of FUS technology, demonstrating confidence in its potential to revolutionize healthcare. His investment, along with others, has been crucial in supporting research, growth, and wider implementation of FUS systems.