Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 23, 2024 5 months, 10 hours, 24 minutes ago
Medical News: Desmoid tumors, also known as aggressive fibromatosis, are a rare type of growth that occurs in connective tissues. These tumors are notorious for their ability to infiltrate surrounding tissues and their high recurrence rates. While they don't metastasize like other cancers, their aggressive nature can cause significant problems, including chronic pain, functional impairments, and even life-threatening conditions. Traditional treatment methods like surgery and radiotherapy often come with high risks and complications. This
Medical News report explores a groundbreaking new treatment that offers hope to desmoid tumor patients.
Non-invasive ultrasound treatment shows promise for Desmoid tumor patients
The Groundbreaking Treatment
A team of researchers from Zhejiang University School of Medicine-China and Tianjin Medical University-China has developed a novel approach to treating desmoid tumors using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). This non-invasive technique promises high efficacy with minimal side effects, making it an attractive alternative to conventional treatments.
What is High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)?
HIFU is a medical procedure that uses focused ultrasound waves to generate heat and destroy targeted tissue. Unlike traditional surgical methods, HIFU is non-invasive, meaning it doesn't require incisions or cause significant damage to surrounding tissues. This method has been used successfully in treating various types of tumors, including those in the prostate, breast, and brain.
Study Overview
In their study, researchers Dr Jiayi Shen, JDr ing Zhao, Dr Xian Zhong, Dr Shuyi Xie, Dr Lanqi Wu, Dr Chenlu Hu, Dr Xiaoye Hu, and Dr Hong Shen examined the effectiveness of low-power cumulative HIFU in treating patients with desmoid tumors who were either ineligible for surgery or unwilling to undergo it. The study was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and involved 57 patients with different types of desmoid tumors.
Key Findings
-High Efficacy in Abdominal Wall Tumors: The study found that patients with abdominal wall desmoid tumors responded exceptionally well to HIFU treatment. The response rate in these patients was 91.4%, with a disease control rate of 100%. This means that all patients with abdominal wall tumors experienced either complete or partial tumor regression, or their tumors remained stable without growing.
-Lower Efficacy in Non-Abdominal Tumors: In contrast, patients with extra-abdominal and intra-abdominal desmoid tumors had a lower disease control rate of 86%, with only partial responses in some cases. This highlights the variation in treatment efficacy depending on the tumor's location.
-Long-Term Benefits: The median follow-up duration for the study was 34 months. During this period, the largest diameter of tumors in abdom
inal wall desmoid patients decreased by 74% on average, while non-abdominal wall tumors saw an 11% reduction. The five-year event-free survival rate was 97% for abdominal wall tumor patients, compared to 68.2% for those with extra-abdominal or intra-abdominal tumors.
-Minimal Side Effects: The treatment was well-tolerated, with mild side effects. Four patients experienced grade 1 skin burns, and one patient had a grade 1 nerve injury, all of which recovered completely. No severe complications such as fever, thrombocytopenia, or perforation were observed.
Real-Life Impact
A compelling example from the study is a 29-year-old woman with a painful abdominal wall mass diagnosed as a desmoid tumor. After undergoing three HIFU treatments, her tumor size reduced significantly from 4.5 cm to 1.5 cm. Six months later, the tumor was largely necrotic and showed signs of being absorbed, with no recurrence observed.
How HIFU Works
The low-power cumulative HIFU technique used in this study is a refined version of traditional HIFU. It uses lower input power and longer emission times, allowing heat to accumulate more slowly and diffuse more effectively. This method enhances the efficacy of the treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Real-time monitoring with ultrasound ensures precise targeting of the tumor, and MRI evaluations after each session confirm the extent of ablation.
Future Implications
The success of this study suggests that low-power cumulative HIFU could become a standard initial treatment for desmoid tumors, especially for those located in the abdominal wall. Its non-invasive nature, high response rates, and minimal side effects make it a promising alternative to surgery and radiotherapy. Further research and larger, multi-center clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and explore the potential of HIFU in other types of tumors.
Conclusion
The innovative use of low-power cumulative HIFU offers a beacon of hope for desmoid tumor patients. By providing a non-invasive, effective, and well-tolerated treatment option, this technique could revolutionize the management of these challenging tumors.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Frontiers in Oncology.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1388302/full
For the latest on treating Desmoid tumors, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/prostate-cancer-hifu-ultrasound-treatment-as-effective-as-surgery-or-radiotherapy
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